ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-THIRD

SEMI-ANNUAL

CONFERENCE
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

HELD THE TABERNACLE

IN

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

OCTOBER 4, 5, 6, 1963

WITH REPORT OF DISCOURSES

Published by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah
 The One Hundred Thirty-third Semi-annual
Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints

The One Hundred Thirty- Third Semi- ings from Coast to Coast and in Alaska
Annual Conference of the Church of and Canada.
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was President David O. McKay was pres-
held in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, ent and presided at each of the sessions
Utah, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and conducted the services of each
October 4, 5, and 6, 1963. meeting.
The general sessions of the Conference A full report of the Sunday morning
were held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tabernacle Choir and Organ Broadcast
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and the is included in this record, as is also a

General Priesthood meeting was held in full account of Columbia Broadcasting

the Tabernacle Saturday evening, Octo- System's Church of the Air program.
ber 5, at 7:00 p.m. (See pages 127 to 132.)
All general sessions of the Conference Elder Joseph Anderson was Clerk of
were broadcast to overflow gatherings the Conference.
in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square,
over a loudspeaking system and by tele- General Authorities of the Church
vision. Additional thousands listened to Present
the services on the Tabernacle Grounds
by means of amplifying equipment. The First Presidency: David O. Mc-
The proceedings were broadcast and Kay, Hugh B. Brown, 1 Nathan Eldon
telecast over Station KSL and KSL-TV, Tanner. 2
and by arrangement through KSL to the The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
largest world-wide audience in the his- Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee,
tory of the Church. The proceedings Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson,
were disseminated over many radio and Mark E. Petersen, Delbert L. Stapley,
television stations from Coast to Coast Marion G. Romney, LeGrand Richards,
in the United States, in Hawaii; also Richard L. Evans, Howard W. Hunter,
television stations in Canada released Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S.
portions of the Conference sessions. Monson. 3
The Conference proceedings were re- Patriarch to the Church: Eldred G.
leased over international short-wave sta- Smith.
tion WRUL and carried in English to Assistants to the Twelve Apostles:
Europe, Africa, Central and South Alma Sonne, EIRay L. Christiansen,
America, and parts of Asia. Spanish John Longden, Sterling W. Sill, Henry
translations were broadcast to Central D. Taylor, William J. Critchlow, Jr.,
and South America and to Mexico and Alvin R. Dyer, Franklin D. Richards,
the Caribbean area. For the first time
short-wave transmissions included Ger- President Hugh B. Brown was sustained as First
Counselor in the First Presidency, succeeding President
man and Portuguese translations. The Henry D. Moyle, who passed away September 18,
various sessions of the Conference were 1963.
2
Elder Nathan Eldon Tanner of the Council of the
also rebroadcast over KSL the follow- Twelve was sustained as Second Counselor in the First
ing morning. Presidency, succeeding President Hugh B. Brown who
was sustained as First Counselor.
The General Priesthood meeting was a
Elder Thomas S. Monson was sustained as a mem-
relayed by closed circuit to members of ber of the Council of the Twelve Apostles to fill the
vacancy caused by the appointment of Elder Nathan
the Priesthood gathered in the Assembly Eldon Tanner as Second Counselor in the First
Hall and in 370 other separate gather- Presidency.
 GENERAL CONFERENCE
4
,
Thorpe B. Isaacson, Boyd K. Packer, Members of the Church Board of Edu-
Bernard P. Brockbank. cation and Chancellor of the Church
The First Council of the Seventy: 5 , School System, Directors and Associate
Antoine R. Ivins, Seymour Dilworth Directors of Institute, and Seminary
Young, 6 \ 8 9
, , .
Instructors.
Presidents of Stakes and their Coun-
Presiding Bishopric: John H. Vanden-
selors, Presidents of Temples, Patriarchs,
berg, Robert L. Simpson, Victor L.
and quorum presidencies and mem-
Brown.
bers of the Melchizedek and Aaronic
Priesthoods.
Auxiliary Officers, General, Stake, and
General Officers and Other Ward, from all parts of the Church.
Authorities Present a
Elder Theodore M. Burton presiding over the Euro-
pean Mission.
5 Elder Levi Edgar Young absent because of illness.
Church Historian and Recorder: Jo- 6 Elder
7
Milton R. Hunter absent because of illness.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie presiding over the South-
seph Fielding Smith, and assistants: A. em Australian Mission.
William Lund and Preston Nibley. 8 Elder Marion
D. Hanks presiding over the British
Mission.
Members of the General Welfare BElder A. Theodore Tuttle presiding over the South
Committee, Church Welfare Program. American Mission.
 FIRST DAY
MORNING MEETING
The opening session of the One Hun-
dred Thirty-Third Semi-Annual Confer-
ence of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints convened in the Tab-
ernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake
City, Utah, Friday morning, October 4,
1963, at 10:00 a.m., with President
David O. McKay presiding and con-
ducting.
The Relief Society Singing Mothers
from the Phoenix-Mesa (Arizona) area
furnished the choral music for this ses-
sion. Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen
was the conductor. Elder Frank W.
Asper, Tabernacle Organist, was the
accompanist.
President David O. McKay:
Quoting a stanza from a hymn the pio-
neers used to sing:
"How swift the months have passed
away
'Tis Conference again
And Zion's untold thousands come
To hear the welcome strain."
This is the opening session of the One
Hundred Thirty-Third Semi-Annual
Conference of The Church of
Christ of Latter-day Saints. We
convened in the historic Salt Lake Tab-
ernacleon Temple Square.
During the past two days, approxi-
mately 9,000 women of the Relief So-
ciety have held their annual conference
meetings in this building. We are
deeply grateful for the service rendered
by the members of this great organiza-
tion. Weexpress sincere appreciation to
the General Presidency and members of
the General Board for their devotion and
service. God bless them as they con-
tinue to inspire and instruct the women
of the Church.
All of the General Authorities are in
attendance at this Conference excepting
those who are presiding over foreign
missions. Elder Mark E. Petersen of the
Council of the Twelve, who is President
of the West European Mission, is here
with us this morning, having returned
to Salt Lake City to undergo surgery.
He is recuperating under doctor's orders
before returning to the mission field.
The others who are absent are: Elder
Theodore M. Burton, Assistant to the
Twelve, presiding over the European
Mission; Elders Bruce R. McConkie,
Marion D. Hanks, A. Theodore Tuttle
of the First Council of Seventy are pre-
siding over the Southern Australian,
British and South American Missions re-
spectively. Elders Levi Edgar Young
and Milton R. Hunter are absent be-
cause of illness.
We miss the presence of President
Henry D. Moyle, who passed away
September 18, 1963. I like to think he
will be listening in here with us this
morning.
You will be interested in knowing
that by radio and television broadcast-
ing the proceedings of this Conference
will reach the largest world-wide audi-
ence in the history of the Church. KSL
Radio and Television will broadcast all
sessions of the Conference, and will be
joined by many other stations in carry-
ing all or parts of the Conference. The
proceedings will be widely disseminated
Jesus
over many radio and television stations
are
from Coast to Coast in the United
States, in Hawaii; also television sta-
tions in Canada will be releasing por-
tions of the Conference sessions.
For the fourth consecutive time Con-
ference sessions will be released over
international short-wave station WRUL,
with its five short-wave transmitters
near Boston, Massachusetts, by way of
its New York Studios. WRUL
will carry
the Conference in English to Europe,
Africa, Central and South America, parts
of Asia. Spanish translations will also
be broadcast to Central and South
America and to Mexico and the Carib-
bean area. For the first time short-wave
transmissions will include German and
Portuguese translations.
This is a great age in which we live,
4 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day
and we express our thanks and gratitude the Northeast British Mission: "The
to an overruling Providence for having missionaries and members of the North-
inspired inventors and scientists through- east British Mission send their love and
out passing time, and especially during best wishes for another glorious Confer-
the past 100 years. We express appre- ence. The work is rapidly moving for-
ciation to the dedicated men and ward, and we are pleased to report all
women who have applied these inven- is well."

tions and discoveries for the guidance,
convenience and blessing of mankind.
Now, because of their service and dedi-
cation, we are able to transmit in a
brief period of time the glad tidings of
the gospel to millions throughout the
world.
We are deeply appreciative of all the
men who are assisting the Church to-
day in its effort to disseminate the gospel
to the peoples of the earth.
—
To all to those gathered here in the
Tabernacle, to the overflow gatherings
in the Assembly Hall, to the radio and
television audiences —
in behalf of the
First Presidency, the Council of the
Twelve, and the other General Authori-
ties, I extend a cordial and hearty
welcome.
Any important messages that come to
us for persons attending the Conference
will be announced at the dismissal of
the meetings over the public address
system on the grounds.
These lovely flowers have been ar-
ranged on the rostrum by our Church
gardeners under the direction of Brother
Irvin T. Nelson. Thank you, brethren,
for this thoughtful service.
We announce that the
are pleased to
Relief Society Singing Mothers from the
Phoenix-Mesa (Arizona) area, with
Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen as
their conductor, will furnish the music
for the sessions today. Elder Frank
Asper will be at the organ. We
ways happy to have the Relief Society
Singing Mothers with us, and we extend
a cordial welcome to them this morning.
We have received the following
grams:
From President and Sister Ned
Winder of the Florida Mission: "The
missionariesand Saints of the Florida
Mission send greetings and all good
wishes to you, the other General Au-
thorities, and members of the
everywhere as we look forward
Conference."
And from President Grant S. Thorn
From President and Sister Fred W.
Schwendiman, New Zealand South Mis-
sion: "Greetings and love to the Church
Authorities and members assembled in
General Conference from missionaries
and members of the New Zealand
South Mission."
Weespecially welcome, and are grate-
ful for the presence of our stake presi-
dencies, temple presidents, bishoprics,
high councilmen, general auxiliary offi-
cers, and other general officers of the
Church, many of whom have traveled
long distances to be in attendance at
this Conference.
I am sure you will be pleased to wel-
come, as I am, men of the nation and
of the state holding prominent posi-
tions. The following are now seen
before me:
Senator Wallace F. Bennett, United
States Senator;Congressman Sherman P.
Lloyd, U. S. Congressman; Ralph Hard-
ing, Congressman from Idaho; George
Dewey Clyde, Governor of the State of
Utah; Lamont F. Toronto, Secretary of
State; Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, Presi-
dent of Brigham Young University; Dr.
A. Ray Olpin, President of the Univer-
sity of Utah; Dr. Daryl Chase, President
of the Utah State University; Dr. John
L. Clarke, President of Ricks College;
Dr. William P. Miller, President of
Weber College; Dr. Howard McDonald,
W. formerly of the City College of Los
are al- Angeles; Dr. Royden C. Braithwaite, Di-
rector of USU
Branch at Cedar City;
Dr. Terrel H. Bell, Superintendent of
Public Instruction; Dr. M. Lynn Ben-
tele- nion, Superintendent of Salt Lake City
Public Schools; A Sherman Christenson,
Judge of the Federal Court; Jesse A.
Udall, Associate Supreme Judge of Ari-
zona; and undoubtedly others. We
welcome you and are glad you share in
this important Conference today.
Church Thesinging for this morning's ses-
to sion, as already announced, will be fur-
nished by the Singing Mothers from the
of Phoenix-Mesa (Arizona) area, with

PRESIDENT DAVID
Sister Madsen conducting and Frank W.
Asper at the organ. We shall begin
this session by the Relief Society Sing-
ing Mothers rendering "The Heavens
Are Telling."
The invocation will be offered by
Elder Samuel R. Carpenter, formerly
president of the Central States Mission.
The Relief Society Singing Mothers
sang, "The Heavens Are Telling," fol-
lowing which the invocation was offered
by Elder Samuel R. Carpenter, formerly
president of the Central States Mission.
President David O. McKay:
The invocation was offered by Elder
PRESIDENT DAVID
I pray for your sympathy, your prayers,
while I say a few words at the opening
of this great conference.
"What is man, that thou art mindful
of him? and the son of man, that thou
him?
visitest
"For thou hast made him a little
lower than the angels, and hast crowned
him with glory and honour." (Psalm
8:4-5.)
Animals and other living things can
grow and reproduce their kind only in
accordance with the fixed laws of nature
and the divine command, "Let the earth
bring forth the living creature after his
kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and
."
beast of the earth after his kind:
(Gen. 1:24.)
Man, in his physical organism being
material and chemical the same as that
of the animal, also is subject to the ap-
petites, passions, and other cravings of
the physical body. To him, however, is
given a special endowment not be-
stowed upon any other living thing.
When the Creator "breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life, and man
became a living soul," God gave him
the power of choice. (Ibid., 2:7.) Only
to the human being did the Creator
say: ". thou mayest choose for thy-
. .
self, for it is given unto thee. ." .
(Moses 3:17.) As God intended man
to become as he, it was necessary that
He should make him free.
first
Thus man was endowed with
—
O. McKAY
Samuel R. Carpenter, formerly president
of the Central States Mission. The
Relief Society Singing Mothers will now
favor us with "Open Our Eyes," con-
ducted by Sister Florence Jcpperson
Madsen.
Singing by the Relief Society Singing
Mothers, "Open Our Eyes."
President David O. McKay:
Madsen and you Singing Moth-
Sister
ers, you have inspired thousands, tens
of —
thousands perhaps millions by —
that inspiring chorus.
O. McKAY
greatest blessing that can be given to
mortal beings the gift of free agency.
Without this divine power to choose,
humanity cannot progress.
Commenting upon this special en-
dowment, a leading scientist, Dr. Le-
comte du Nouy in Human Destiny said:
"By giving man liberty and conscience,
God abdicated a part of His omnipo-
tence in favor of His creature and this
represents the spark of God in man
('God is within you'). Liberty is real,
for God Himself refused to trammel it."
". .cheer up your hearts," admon-
.
ished the ancient prophet, "and remem-
ber that ye are free to act for yourselves."
. .
(2 Nephi 10:23.)
Freedom of speech, freedom of action
within boundaries that do not infringe
upon the liberty of others are man's
inherent right —divine gifts "essential to
human dignity and human happiness."
What a travesty on human nature
when a person or a group of persons,
though endov/ed with a consciousness of
being able to rise in human dignity to
realms indiscernible by lower creatures,
yet will still be content to obey ammal
instincts, without putting forth efforts
to experience the joy of goodness, purity,
self-mastery, and faith that spring from
. compliance to moral rules! How tragic
it is when man, made a "little lower
than the angels and crowned with glory
and honour" (Psalm 8:5), will content
the himself to grovel on the animal plane.
 —

GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4
"This love of liberty which God has
planted in us," said Abraham Lincoln,
"constitutes the bulwark of our liberty
and independence. It is not our formi-
dable battlements, or bristling seacoasts,
or in our Navy. Our defense is in the
spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage
of all men in all lands everywhere.
Destroy this spirit, and we have planted
the seeds of despotism at our own doors."
The opposite of freedom is bondage,
servility, restraint, conditions that in-
hibit mentality, stifle the spirit, and
crush manhood. To coerce, to compel
to bring the individual into servitude is
the communist plan for the human
family.
Aside from resisting such oppression
from without, each individual carries
within himself the responsibility of liv-
ing nobly or ignobly. Daily every
normal person is faced with the choice
of submission to what Paul designated
the "works of the flesh," (Gal. 5:19)
or of reaching upward for the fruits of
the Spirit, which are "love, joy, peare,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance." (Ibid., 5:22-23.)
Conditions in the world today seem
First Day
them on, and the further they go the
less able they are to resist it.
"Here is the secret of the unrest, the
madness, of many of our contemporaries.
Having condemned their will to the
service of their appetites, they suffer the
penalty. They are delivered up to vio-
lent passions which devour their flesh,
crush their bones, suck their blood, and
cannot be sated. This is not a lofty
moral denunciation. I have been lis-
tening to what life says, and have
recorded, as I heard them, some of the
truths that resound in every square.
"Has drunkenness, inventive as it is
of new drinks, found the means of
quenching thirst? Not at all. It might
rather be called the art of making thirst
inextinguishable. Frank libertinage, does
it deaden the sting of the senses? No;
it envenoms it, converts natural desire
into a morbid obsession and makes it
the dominant passion. Let your needs
rule you, pamper them you will see —
them multiply like insects in the sun.
The more you give them, the more they
demand. He is senseless who seeks
for happiness in material prosperity
alone. . . Our needs, in place of the
.

to indicate that too manv human beings servants that they should be, become a
are living not very far above the animal turbulent and seditious crowd, a legion
plane. Cunning, deception, thieving, of tyrants in miniature. A man enslaved
lying, cruelty, brutality, warring con- to his needs may best be compared to
flicts are still all too common even a bear with a ring in its nose that is
among Christian nations. led about and made to dance at will.
Charles Wagner in The Simple Life The likeness is not flattering, but you
gives impressive warning
this against will grant that it is true.
indulgence in animal desires: "It is only by direct action on youth
"He who lives to eat, drink, sleep, that a better society can be successfully
dress, —
take his walk in short, pamper moulded. All pseudo-mysticisms social, —
himself all that he can be it the — philosophical or political must be re- —
courtier basking in the sun, the drunken placed by the Christian ideal, the only
laborer, the commoner serving his belly, one based on liberty and the respect of
the woman absorbed in her toilettes,
human dignity. When people have re-
ceived the same education, when they
the profligate of low estate or high, or
obey the same moral rules and think
simply the ordinary pleasure-lover, a universally, they do not easily accept
'good fellow,' but too obedient to mate- the idea of fighting each other and are
rial needs that man or woman is on very near an understanding.
the downward way of desire, and the "Today the nations constituted by
descent is fatal. Those who follow it individuals but possessing their own
obey the same laws as a body on an independent life want to exist and con-
inclined plane. Dupes of an illusion centrate all their efforts toward this
forever repeated, they think: 'Just a few goal, sometimes sincerely in the interest
steps more, the last, toward the thing of their members, sometimes solely in
down there that we covet; then we will the interest of their leaders or of what
halt.' But the velocity they gain sweeps the latter believe is an ideal superior
 — —

PRESIDENT D. VID O. McKAY 7

to that of the individual. Governments, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God and
evidently, have the duty to protect their eternal hopes, is to deprive one's self of
countries against enemies, for in so do- the real joy of living.
ing they protect the individual which In man's life, this physical stage, man
they are supposed to represent. But two phases: first in the
finds activity in
they also have the duty to prepare the struggle livelihood and comforts;
for
future by spreading the light and by and, second in the tendency to grovel.
attacking the roots of the evil." The natural and most commend-
first is
We sing: able. The second is debasing, and
when unrestrained leads one to the level
"In sylvan depth and shade, of animals. When a man harbors the
In forest and in glade, thought that he will obtain a liveli-
Where'er we pass, hood by injuring his neighbor, that mo-
The hand of God we see ment he begins to circumscribe his
In leaf and bud and tree life; bitterness replaces happiness; sor-
Or bird or humming bee didness supplants generosity; hatred
Or blade of grass." takes the place of love, and beastliness
—Emmeline B. Wells takes the place of humanity.
Generally there is in man a divinity
We drive up the canyons and thrill which strives to push him onward and
with the glory of nature bedecked in upward. We believe that this power
the brilliance of her autumn colors and within him is the spirit that comes
find ourselves interested in the story of from God. Man lived before he came
past ages as we pass in rapid succession to this earth, and he is here now to
the everlasting cliffs of conglomerate, strive to perfect the spirit within. At
granite-like strata of gneiss and lime- sometime in every man is con-
his life,
stone or pause with the poet and scious of a desire to come in touch with
pluck a the Infinite. His spirit reaches out for
God. This sense of feeling is universal,
"Flower in the crannied wall, and all men ought to be, in deepest
I pluck you out of the crannies, truth,engaged in the same great work
I hold you here, root and all, in my the search for and the development of
hand, spiritualpeace and freedom.
Little flower—but if I could understand Each one of us is the architect of
What you are, root and all, and all his own fate, and he is unfortunate in-
in all, deed who will try to build himself
I should know what God and man is." without the inspiration of God; without
Tennyson — realizing that he grows from within,
not from without.
But earth in majesty and won-
all its Trees that can stand in the midst of
der is not the end and purpose of the hurricane often yield to the destroy-
creation. ". my glory," says the Lord
. .
ing pests that we can scarcely see with
himself, "(is) to bring to pass the im- a microscope. Likewise the greatest
mortality and eternal life of man." foes of humanity today are the subtle
(Moses 1:39.) And man in exercising and sometimes unseen influences at
the divine gift of free agency should feel work in society that are undermining
in duty bound, should sense the obliga- the manhood and womanhood of today.
tion to assist the Creator in the The test, after all, of the faithfulness
accomplishment of this divine purpose. and effectiveness of God's people is an
The true end of life is not mere exist- individual one. What is the indi-
ence, not pleasure, not fame, not wealth.
vidual doing?
The true purpose of life is the perfection Every temptation that comes to you
of humanity through individual effort,
under the guidance of God's inspiration. and me comes in one of three forms:
Real life is response to the best within (1) A temptation of the appetite or
us. To be alive only to appetite, plea- passion;
money-making, and not to
sure, pride, (2) A yielding to pride, fashion, or
goodness and kindness, purity and love, vanity;
 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day

(3) A desire for worldly riches or ings of the Holy Spirit,and continue
power and dominion over lands or to do so, happiness will your soul.
fill

earthly possessions of men. If you vary from it and become con-

Such temptations come to us in our
social gatherings; theycome to us in
our political strivings; they come to us
in our business relations, on the farm,
in the mercantile establishment; in our
dealings in all the affairs of life we
find these insidious influences working.
It iswhen they manifest themselves to
the consciousness of each individual that
the defense of truth should exert itself.
The Church teaches that life here is
probationary. It is man's duty to be-
come the master, not the slave of nature.
His appetites are to be controlled and
used for the benefit of his health and
the prolongation of his life his pas-—
sions mastered and controlled for the
happiness and blessing of others.
Man's greatest happiness comes from
losing himself for the good of others.
The advancement of science and the
new discoveries from the dawn of his-
tory to the present are the results of the
efforts of men who have been willing
to sacrifice themselves if necessary for
the cause of truth.
"What pains and tears the slightest
step forward of man's progress have
cost! Every hair-breadth forward has
been in the agony of some soul, and
humanity has attained blessing after
blessing of all its vast achievement of
good with bleeding feet."
We must not lose sight of the fact,
however, that these great leaders of the
world were more than compensated by
the supreme joy that comes from
achievement.
Today there are those who have met
disaster which almost seems defeat,
who have become somewhat soured in
their natures; but if they stop to think,
even the adversity which has come to
them may prove a means of spiritual
uplift. Adversity itself may lead
ward and not away from God and
spiritual enlightenment; and privation
may prove a source of strength if we
can but keep the sweetness of mind and
spirit. "Sweet are the uses of adversity,"
said Shakespeare, "which, like the toad,
ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious
jewel in his head."
If you have lived true to the prompt-
scious that you have fallen short of
what you know is right, you are going
to be unhappy even though you have
the wealth of the world.
And now a word to the young:
In their yearning for a good time,
young people are often tempted to in-
dulge in the things which appeal only
to the baser side of humanity, five of
the most common of which are: first,
vulgarity and obscenity; second, drink-
ing and petting; third, unchastity;
fourth, disloyalty; and, fifth, irreverence.
Vulgarity is often the first step down
the road to indulgence. To be vulgar is
to give offense to good taste or re-
fined feelings.
It is only a step from vulgarity to
obscenity. It is right, indeed essential,
to the happiness of our young people
that they meet in social parties, but it
is an indication of low morals when
for entertainment they must resort to
physical stimulation and debasement.
Drinking and petting parties form an
environment in which the moral sense
becomes dulled, and unbridled passion
holds sway. It then becomes easy to
take the final step downward in
moral disgrace.
When,instead of high moral princi-
ples, a life of immoral indulgence is
chosen, and man or woman gets far
down in the scale of degeneracy, dis-
loyalty is an inevitable part of his or
her nature. Lovalty to parents becomes
quenched; obedience to their teachings
and ideals abandoned; loyalty to wife
and children smothered in base gratifi-
cation; loyalty to Church impossible,
and often supplanted by sneers at
its teachings.
is the consciousness of vic-
Spirituality
tory over self and of communion with
to- the Infinite. Spirituality impels one to
conquer difficulties and acquire more
and more strength. To feel one's
faculties unfolding and truth expanding
the soul isone of life's sublimest experi-
ences. Being true to self and being
loyal to high ideals develops spirituality.
The real test of any religion is the kind
of man it makes. Being "honest, true,
chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in
 — —

GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 9

doing good to men"

are virtues
all That is the kind of men who stand
which contribute to the highest acquisi- at the head of our stakes, wards, quo-
tion of the soul. It is the "divine in rums, and organizations. That is a
man, the supreme, crowning gift that responsibility they carry. God help
makes him king of all created things, them in discharging their duty faithfully
the one final quality that makes him and responding to our Father in heaven
tower above all other animals." who says, ". . this is my glory
. to —
Let us ever keep in mind that life is bring to pass the immortality and eter-
largely what we make it, and that the nal life of man." (Moses 1:39.)
Savior of men has marked clearly and God help us as leaders in the restored
plainly just how joy and peace may Church, I pray in the name of Jesus
be obtained. It is in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Christ and adherence thereto. Do your
duty no matter how humble and re- President David O. McKay:
solve even in the face of difficulties
and discouragements to be: President Hugh B. Brown will now
present for your acceptance the Gen-
"Like the man who faceswhat he must eral Authorities and officers of the
With step triumphant and a heart of Church and General Auxiliary Asso-
cheer; ciations.
Who fights the daily battle without
fear; President Hugh B. Brown:
Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering
trust Brethren and sisters, it is now our
That God is God." privilege as members of the Church to
vote on the General Authorities, General
Years ago I learned that Officers and General Auxiliary Officers
of the Church. This is not a mere
"The world wants men —true men formality, but is a right given by
Who cannot be bought or sold; revelation.
Men who will scorn to violate truth It is now proposed that we sustain
genuine gold." the following:

GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH

The First Presidency

David O. McKay, Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and President of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hugh Brown, First Counselor in the First Presidency.
B.
Nathan Eldon Tanner, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.

President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Joseph Fielding Smith

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Joseph Fielding Smith Marion G. Romney

Harold B. Lee LeGrand Richards
Spencer W. Kimball Richard L. Evans
Ezra Taft Benson Howard W. Hunter
Mark E. Petersen Gordon B. Hinckley
Delbert L. Stapley Thomas S. Monson
10 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day
Patriarch to the Church
Eldred G. Smith

The Counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles and the Patriarch
to the Church as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.

Assistants to the Twelve

Alma Sonne Alvin R. Dyer
EIRay L. Christiansen Franklin D. Richards
John Longden Theodore M. Burton
Sterling W. Sill Thorpe B. Isaacson
Henry D. Taylor Boyd K. Packer
William J. Critchlow, Jr. Bernard Park Brockbank

Trustee-in-Trust

David O. McKay

as Trustee-in-Trust for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The First Council of the Seventy

Levi Edgar Young Bruce R. McConkie

Antoine R. Ivins Marion D. Hanks
Seymour Dilworth Young Albert Theodore Tuttle
Milton R. Hunter

Presiding Bishopric

John H. Vandenberg, Presiding Bishop

Robert L. Simpson, First Counselor
Victor L. Brown, Second Counselor

Church Historian and Recorder

Joseph Fielding Smith, with A. William Lund and

Preston Nibley as Assistants.

GENERAL AUXILIARY OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH

Relief Society

Belle Smith Spafford, President

Marianne Clark Sharp, First Counselor
Louise Wallace Madsen, Second Counselor

with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

Deseret Sunday School Union

George R. Hill, General Superintendent

David Lawrence McKay, First Assistant Superintendent
Lynn S. Richards, Second Assistant Superintendent

with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

 GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 11

Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association

G. Carlos Smith, Jr., General Superintendent

Marvin J. Ashton, First Assistant Superintendent
Carl W. Buehner, Second Assistant Superintendent
with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association

Florence Smith Jacobsen, President

Margaret Romney Jackson, First Counselor
Dorothy Porter Holt, Second Counselor
with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

Primary Association

LaVern Watts Parmley, President

Leone Watson Doxey, First Counselor
Lucile Cardon Reading, Second Counselor
with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

Church Board of Education

David O. McKay LeGrand Richards
Hugh B. Brown Richard L. Evans
Nathan Eldon Tanner Howard W. Hunter
Joseph Fielding Smith Gordon B. Hinckley
Harold B. Lee Thomas S. Monson
Spencer W. Kimball Boyd K. Packer
Ezra Taft Benson Marion D. Hanks
Mark E. Petersen Albert Theodore Tuttle
Delbert L. Stapley John H. Vandenberg
Marion G. Romney

Chancellor of the Church School System

Ernest L. Wilkinson

Church Finance Committee

Orval W. Adams
Harold H. Bennett
Wilford G. Edling
Glenn E. Nielson
Weston E. Hamilton

Senior Church Auditors

Harold L. Davis
Charles Schmidt

CHURCH WELFARE COMMITTEE

Advisers

Harold B. Lee LeGrand Richards

Delbert L. Stapley Howard W. Hunter
Marion G. Romney Alma Sonne
12 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day
EIRay L. Christiansen John H. Vandenberg
John Longden Robert L. Simpson
Henry D. Taylor Victor L. Brown
Antoine R. Ivins
and the General Presidency of Relief Society

General Church Welfare Committee

John H. Vandenberg, Chairman
Henry D. Taylor, Managing Director

Paul C. Child Walter Stover

Mark B. Garff A. Lewis Elggrcn
William T. Lawrence Donald Ellsworth
Lorenzo H. Hatch Casper H. Parker
Walter Dansie Alfred B. Smith
LeRoy A. Wirthlin

Tabernacle Choir

Isaac M.
Stewart, President
Theodore L. Cannon, Vice President
Richard P. Condie, Conductor
Jay E. Welch, Assistant Conductor
W. Jack Thomas, Tour Manager

Organists

Alexander Schreiner
Frank W. Asper
Roy M. Darley
President Hugh B. Brown:

President McKay, as far as I can ob- join in singing, "We Thank Thee, O
serve, the voting is entirely unanimous God, For A Prophet," after which we
in the affirmative. shall hear from President Nathan Eldon
Tanner, Second Counselor in the First
President David O. McKay: Presidency.

Thank you, brethren and sisters, for

your unanimous sustaining of the Au- The Singing Mothers Chorus and the
thorities. congregation sang the hymn, "We
The Choir and congregation will now Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet."
PRESIDENT NATHAN ELDON TANNER
Second Counselor in the First Presidency

My beloved President David O. McKay, will attend me as I stand before you

President Brown, and brothers and this morning.
sisters: It is with great difficulty and a I am sure that my call to this position
feeling of deep humility that I stand must have been a shock to many of you,
before you in response to this high as it is to me. It is certainly another
honor and heavy responsibility that has evidence of the fact that God moves in a
been bestowed upon me, one of thy mys'erious way, his wonders to perform.
most humble servants, the weakest and Only because these, my colleagues,
least prepared of all. I humbly pray have such a strong testimony that we
that the spirit and blessings of the Lord are led by a prophet of God can they
 PRESIDENT N. ELDON TANNER
sustain me in this position. I humbly
'pray that as they sustain the prophet
in his decision that they, knowing my
weakness, will continue to pray for me
and give of their strength which I need
so badly, and with that assurance, my
brothers and sisters, I can humbly say as
did Nephi of old:
"I will go and do the things which
the Lord hath commanded, for I know
that the Lord giveth no commandments
unto the children of men, save he shall
prepare a way for them that they may
accomplish the thing which he com-
mandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7.)
I humbly thank you all for your con-
fidence and sustaining vote, and pledge
to all of you and to these, my brethren
and colleagues, whom I love so much,
and whom I sustain with all my heart,
and to you, President McKay, as the
Lord's representative, and to God him-
self,everything with which the Lord
has blesjed me for the building up of
the kingdom of God.
I thank God formy loyal and devoted
wife and family whom I love so much
and who have always sustained and
strengthened me with their inspira-
tion, loyalty, faith, and prayers and
who will continue to sustain me in this
new calling.
I thank my Heavenly Father for the
wonderful privilege that I have had of
associating with these fine men, for the
influence they have had in my life and
for the encouragement and strength they
have given me. And I thank God for the
signal privilege I have had of associating
so closely with, and feeling the great
spirit and influence of, our beloved Pres-
ident David O. McKay. All that has
been written and said about him, as
he has just passed his ninetieth birthday,
does not and cannot portray the great-
ness of him who has been chosen as a
prophet of God and who is now Presi-
dent of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints —
the kingdom of God
here upon the earth. It is impossible to
appreciate or estimate the tremendous
influence for good that he has exerted
upon mankind. The closer that one
all
is to him, and the more he is permitted
to associate with him, the stronger one's
13
testimony becomes that he is a prophet
of God.
It is with sadness that I mention the
absence of our beloved friend and col-
league, President Henry D. Moyle,
whom we all miss so much, and whose
passing makes these changes necessary.
His family, his friends, his Church, his
community, and his country have suf-
fered a tremendous loss. He was a lov-
ing husband and father, a true and
loyal friend, a thoughtful neighbor, a
devoted member and capable leader of
the Church. He was always working
for the good of his country and the
betterment of mankind. I wish to ex-
press my love and sympathy to Sister
Moyle and her family and pray that
the Spirit of the Lord will accompany
and strengthen them and give them
courage to carry on.
At this time, I should like to welcome
Brother Thomas Monson, whom I sus-
tain with all my heart.
I have not words to express my deep
love for the Lord and my
gratitude to
him for his many blessings unto me and
mine, and I sincerely pray for his con-
tinued guidance and strength, as I try
to serve him. And I wish to pledge with
you again that my life and all that I
have will be completely devoted to the
service of my Maker and to my fellow
men, always with a prayer in my heart
that he will give me wisdom and knowl-
edge, courage and strength and inspira-
tion and determination and ability to
keep his commandments and serve in a
way that will be acceptable to him.
Again I appeal to each and every one
of you to exercise your faith and prayers
in my behalf that I might lose myself
in his service and go forward with an
eye single to his glory.
I wish to bear my testimony that I
know that God lives, that Jesus is the
Christ who gave h's life for you and me;
that this is his Church and kingdom;
that we have at the head of our Church
this day a prophet of God who is led
by him, and through whom we are led
in the paths of truth and righteousness.
May we follow him, knowing that we
will be led into immortality and eternal
life, I humbly pray in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
14 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day

President David O. McKay: Council of the Twelve. He will now

please come forward. Elder Monson
Our next speaker will be Elder will be followed by Elder Ezra Taft
Thomas Spencer Monson, whom you Benson, who will be our concluding
have just sustained as a member of the speaker.

ELDER THOMAS S. MONSON

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

President McKay, President Brown, and my associates at the Deseret News

President Tanner, my brethren, and
brothers and sisters, from the depths of
humility, and with an overwhelming
sense of inadequacy, I stand before you
and pray earnestly for your prayers in
my behalf.
All of us are saddened by the loss of
President Henry D. Moyle. I also miss
the presence of President J. Reuben
Clark, Jr., and President Stephen L
Richards who served in the First
Presidency.
Some years ago I stood at a pulpit
and noticed a little sign that only the
speaker could see, and the words on that
sign were these: "Who stands at this
pulpit, let him be humble." How I
pray to my Heavenly Father that I
might never forget the lesson I learned
that day!
I feel to thank my Heavenly Father
for his many blessings to me. I am
grateful to have been born of goodly
parents, whose parents were gathered
out of the lands of Sweden and Scotland
and England by humble missionaries,
who through the bearing of their testi-
monies touched the spirits of these
wonderful people.
I am so grateful for my
teachers and
leaders in my boyhood and young man-
hood in a humble, pioneer ward in a
humble, pioneer stake. I am grateful
for my sweet companion and for the
influence for good which she has had
upon my life, and to her dear mother
who had the courage in far-off Sweden
to accept the gospel and to
country. I am so happy that the Lord
with whom I have so closely worked
these past fifteen years.
I know that God lives, my brothers
and sisters. There is no question in
my mind. I know that this is his work,
and I know that the sweetest experience
in all this life is to feel his promptings
as he directs us in the furtherance of
his work. I have felt these promptings
as a young bishop, guided to the homes
where there was spiritual, or perhaps
temporal, want. I felt it again in the
mission field as I worked with your sons
—
and your daughters the missionaries of
this great Church who are a living wit-
ness and testimony to the world that
this work is divine and that we are
led by a prophet.
I think of a little sister, a French-
Canadian sister, whose life was changed
by the missionaries as her spirit was
touched as she said good-bye to me and
my wife two years ago in Quebec. She
said, "President Monson, I may never
see the prophet. I may never hear the
prophet. But President, far better, now
that I am a member of this Church,
I can obey the prophet."
My prayer today, President
sincere
McKay, that I might always obey
is
you and my brethren. I pledge
these,
my life, all that I may have. I will
strive to the utmost of my ability to
be what you would want me to be. I
am grateful for the words of Jesus
Christ, our Savior, when he said:
"I stand at the door and knock. If
come to this any man hear my voice and open the
door, I will come in to him. ." . .

has blessed us with three fine children, (Rev. 3:20.)

our youngest born to us in the mission I earnestly pray, my brothers and
field in Canada. I am grateful for sisters, that my life might merit this
these blessings. I am grateful for my promise from our Savior. In the name
friends and for O. Preston Robinson of Jesus Christ. Amen.
 ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 15

President David O. McKay: Twelve. Take your place, Brother

Monson.
He to whom you have just listened is We shall now hear from Elder Ezra
Elder Thomas Spencer Monson, the Taft Benson of the Council of the
newest member of the Council of the Twelve.

ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Humbly and gratefully I approach you the will of the Father by selecting
today. Humble in the awesome task Judas. President George Q. Cannon
of speaking to you —
grateful for the
gospel and a prophet at our head. I
suggests
states:
an explanation, too, when he

concur in this great address on man "Perhaps it is His own design that
and free agency given by the Lord's faults and weaknesses should appear in
mouthpiece. President McKay will go high places in order that His Saints
down in eternity as one of the great may learn to trust in Him and not in
champions of free men. any man or men." (Millennial Star
Years ago my great-grandfather, 53:658-659. February 15, 1891.)
while an investigator, attended a Mor- And this would parallel Lehi's warn-
mon meeting during which a member ing; put not your ". trust in the arm
. .

had a quarrel over the Sacrament table of flesh " (2 Nephi 4:34.)
with the branch president. When the "The Church," says President McKay,
service was over, Mrs. Benson turned to if at all, injured by persecu-
"is little,
Ezra T. and asked him what he thought tion and calumnies from ignorant, mis-
of the Mormons now. I'll always be informed, or malicious enemies." (The
grateful for his answer. He said he Instructor. February 1956, p. 33.)
thought the actions of its members in It is from within the Church that the
no way altered the truth of Mormon- greatest hindrance comes. And so, it
ism. That conviction saved him from seems, it Now the question
has been.
many a tragedy. Before joining the arises, we
stick with the kingdom
will
Church, Grandfather was moved by a and can we
avoid being deceived? Cer-
marvelous prayer of Apostle John tainly this is an important question,
E. Page. for the Lord has said that in the last
But later the young convert was days the devil will "rage in the hearts
greatly shocked by the same man whose of . men," (2 Nephi 28:20) and if it
. .

actions reflected his gradual apostasy.
when Elder Page even-
Ironically,
tuallywas excommunicated, Brigham
Young selected the young convert to
fill Elder Page's place in the Quorum
the Twelve.
Six of the original Twelve Apostles
selected by Joseph Smith were excom-
municated. The Three Witnesses to
the Book of Mormon left the Church.
Three of Joseph Smith's Counselors fell
— one even helped plot his death.
A natural question that might arise
would be, that if the Lord knew in ad-
vance that these men would fall, as he
undoubtedly did, why did he have his
Prophet call them to such high office?
The answer is; to fill the Lord's pur-
poses. For even the Master followed
were, possible he shall "deceive the
very elect." (See Joseph Smith 1:5-37.)
"The adversary," said Brigham Young,
"presents his principles and arguments
of in the most approved style, and in the
most winning tone, attended with the
most graceful attitudes; and he is very
careful to ingratiate himself into the
favour of the powerful and influential
of mankind, uniting himself with popu-
lar parties, floating into offices of trust
and emolument by pandering to popu-
lar feeling, though it should seriously
wrong and oppress the innocent. Such
characters put on. the manners of an
angel, appearing as nigh like angels of
light as they possibly can, to deceive
the innocent and the unwary. The good
which they do, they do it to bring to
16 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day

pass an evil purpose upon the good agency, he has them well on the way
and honest followers of Jesus Christ." to captivity.
(JD 11, 238-239.) "We who hold the priesthood must
Those of us who think ". all is . . beware concerning ourselves, that we
well in Zion ." (2 Nephi 28:21) in
. . do not fall into the traps he lays to
spite of Book of Mormon warning rob us of our freedom. must be We
might ponder the words of Heber C. careful that we are not led to accept
Kimball when he said, "Yes, we think or support inany way any organization,
we are secure here in the chambers of cause or measure which, in its remotest
these everlasting hills but I want to
. . . effect, would jeopardize free agency,
say to you, my brethren, the time is whether it be in politics, government,

coming when we will be mixed up in religion, employment, education, or any

these now peaceful valleys to that ex- other field. It is not enough for us to
tent that it will be difficult to tell the be sincere in what we support. We
face of a Saint from the face of an must be right!"
enemy against the people of God. Then Elder Romney then some
outlined
is the time to look out for the great tests to distinguish the true from the
sieve, for there will be a great sifting counterfeit. Now this is crucial for us
time, and many will fall. For I say to know, for as President [John] Taylor
unto you there is a test, a Test, a TEST said, "Besides the preaching of the
coming." (Heber C. Kimball, 1856. Gospel, we have another mission, name-
Quoted by J. Golden Kimball, Con- ly, the perpetuation of the free agency
ference Report, October 1930, pp. 59-60.) of man and the maintenance of liberty,
One of the greatest discourses that I freedom, and the rights of man."
have ever heard or read on how to (JD 23, 63.)
avoid being deceived was given from It was the struggle over free agency

this pulpit during the priesthood ses- that divided us before we came here;
sion of the October, 1960 semiannual it may well be the struggle over the
conference by Elder Marion G. Romney. same principle which will deceive and
(Ibid., October 1960, 73-75.) I com- divide us again.
mend it to you for your close study May I suggest three short tests to
and wish that there were time to re- avoid being deceived, both pertaining
read it. During the talk Elder Romney to this freedom struggle and all other
stated that there was no guarantee that matters.
the devil will not deceive a lot of men 1. What do the standard works have
who hold the priesthood. Then, after to say about it? "To the law and to
referring to a talk on free agency by the testimony: if they speak not accord-
President McKay, Elder Romney states, ing to this word, it is because there is
". Free agency is the principle against
. .
no light in them," said Isaiah. (Isa.
which Satan waged his war in heaven. 8:20.) This is one of the great truths
It is still the front on which he makes of Isaiah so important that it was in-
his most and persistent
furious, devious, cluded in the Book of Mormon scrip-
attacks. That this would be the case tures. There it reads: "To the law and
was foreshadowed by the Lord. ." . . to the testimony; and if they speak not
And then after quoting the scripture according to this word, it is because
from the Pearl of Great Price regarding there is no light in them." (2 Nephi
the war in heaven over free agency 18:20.) And Hosea said, "My people are
(Moses 4:1-4) Elder Romney continues: destroyed for lack of knowledge: ." . .

"You see, at the time he was cast (Hos. 4:6.)

out of heaven, his objective was (and Wemust diligently study the scrip-
still is) 'to deceive and to blind men, tures. Of special importance to us are
and to lead them captive at his will.' the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine
This he effectively does to as many as and Covenants. Joseph Smith said,
will not hearken unto the voice of God. ". . . that the Book of Mormon was the
His main attack is still on free agency. most correct of any book on earth, and
When he can get men to yield their the keystone of our religion, and a man
 ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON
would get nearer to God by abiding by
its precepts, than by any other book."
(DHC 4, 461.)
The Book of Mormon, Brigham Young
said, was written on the tablets of his
heart and no doubt helped save him
from being deceived. The Book of
Mormon has a lot to say about America,
freedom, and secret combinations.
The Doctrine and Covenants is im-
portant because it contains the revela-
tions which helped lay the foundation
of this great latter-day work. It speaks
of many things. Section 134, verse 2,
states that government should hold in-
violate the rights and control of
property. This makes important read-
ing in a day when government controls
are increasing and people are losing the
right to control their own property.
2. The second guide is: what do the
latter-day Presidents of the Church have
to say —
on the subject particularly the
living President? President Wilford
Woodruff related an instance in church
history when Brigham Young was ad-
dressing a congregation in the presence
of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
"Brother Brigham took the stand, and
he took the Bible and laid it down; he
took the Book of Mormon, and laid it
down: and he took the Book of Doctrine
and Covenants, and laid it down before
him, and he said, 'There is the written
word of God to us, concerning the work
of God from the beginning of the world,
almost, to our day.' 'And now,' said he,
'when compared with the living oracles,
those books are nothing to me; those
books do not convey the word of God
direct to us now, as do the words of a
Prophet or a man bearing the Holy
Priesthood in our day and generation. I
would rather have the living oracles
than all the writing in the books.' That
was the course he pursued. When he
was through, Brother Joseph said to the
congregation: 'Brother Brigham has
told you the word of the Lord, and he
has told you the truth'. ." (Confer-
. .
ence Report, October 1897, pp. 18-19.)
There is only one man on the earth
today who speaks for the Church. (See
D&C That man is Presi-
132:7, 21:4.)
dent David O. McKay. Because he gives
the word of the Lord for us today, his
17
words have an even more immediate
importance than those of the dead
prophets. When speaking under the
influence of the Holy Ghost his words
are scripture. (See D&C 68:4.) I com-
mend for your reading the masterful
discourse of President J. Reuben Clark,
Jr., in the Church News of July 31,
1954, entitled: "When Are Church
Leader's Words Entitled to Claim of
Scripture?"
The President can speak on any sub-
ject he feels is needful for the Saints. As
Brigham Young has stated: "I defy any
man on earth to point out the path
a prophet of God should walk in, or
point out his duty, and just how far
he must go, in dictating temporal or
spiritual things. Temporal and spiritual
things are inseparably connected, and
ever will be." (JD 10, 364.) Other
officers in the kingdom have fallen but
never the Presidents. Keep your eye
on the captain is still good counsel. The
words of a living prophet must, and
ever will take precedence.
President McKay has said a lot about
our tragic trends towards socialism and
communism and the responsibilities
liberty-loving people have in defending
and preserving our Constitution. (See
Conference Report, April 1963, pp.
112-113.) Have we read these words
from God's mouthpiece and pondered
on them?
3. The third and final test is the
Holy Ghost —
the test of the Spirit. By
that Spirit we ". .may know the truth
.
of all things." (Moroni 10:5.) This test
can only be fully effective if one's chan-
nels of communication with God are
clean and virtuous and uncluttered with
sin. Said Brigham Young:
"You may know whether you are led
right orwrong, as well as you know the
way home; for every principle God has
revealed carries its own convictions of
its truth to the human mind, . . .
"What a pity it would be if we were
led by one man to utter destruction!
Are you afraid of this? I am more
afraid that this people have so much
confidence in their leaders that they
will not inquire of themselves of God
whether they are led by Him. I am
fearful they settle down in a state of
18 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4
blind self-security, trusting their eternal
destiny in the hands of their leaders
with a reckless confidence that in itself
would thwart the purposes of God in
their salvation, and weaken that influ-
ence they could give to their leaders,
did they know for themselves, by the
revelations of Jesus, that they are led
in the right way. Let every man and
woman know, by the whispering of the
Spirit of God to themselves, whether
their leaders are walking in the path
that the Lord dictates, or not. This has
been my exhortation continually."
(JD 9, 149-150.)
Elder Heber C. Kimball stated: "The
time will come when no man or woman
will be able to endure on borrowed
light."(Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber
C. Kimball, 1888 edition 461.)
How then can we know if a man is
speaking by the spirit? The Bible, Book
of Mormon, and Doctrine and Cove-
nants give us the key. (See D&C 50:17-
23; 100:5-8; 2 Nephi 33:1; 1 Cor. 2:10-
11.) President Clark summarized them
well when he said:
"We can tell when the speakers are
moved upon by the Holy Ghost only
when we, ourselves, are moved upon
by the Holy Ghost. In a way, this
completely shifts the responsibility from
them to us to determine when they so
speak .the Church will know by
. .
the testimony of the Holy Ghost in the
body of the members, whether the
brethren in voicing their views are
moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and in
due time that knowledge will be
made manifest." (Church News, July
31, 1954.)
Willthis Spirit be needed to check
actions in other situations? Yes, and
it could be used as a guide and a pro-
tector for the faithful in a situation
described by Elder Lee at the last gen-
eral priesthood session of the Church
when he said:
"In the history of the Church there
have been times or instances where
Counselors in the First Presidency and
others in high station have sought to
overturn the decision or to persuade the
President contrary to his inspired judg-
ment, and always, if you will read
carefully the history of the Church, such
First Day
oppositions brought not only disastrous
results to those who resisted the decision
of the President, but almost always
such temporary persuasions were called
back for reconsideration, or a reversal
of hasty action not in accordance with
the feelings, the inspired feelings, of the
President of the Church. And that, I
submit, is one of the fundamental things
that we must never lose sight of in the
building up of the kingdom of God."
(Conference Report, April, 1963, p. 81.)
These then, are the three tests: The
standard works; the inspired words of
the Presidents of the Church, particu-
larly the living Presidents; and the
promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Now, brothers and sisters, in this great
struggle for free agency just think what
a power for good we could be in this
world if we were united. Remember
how President Clark used to reiterate
in the general priesthood meeting of
the Church that there was not a right-
eous thing in this world that we couldn't
accomplish if we were just united.
And President McKay has reiterated
it again and again when he's stated:
"Next to being one in worshiping God,
there is nothing in this world upon
which this Church should be more
united than in upholding and defend-
ing the Constitution of the United
States!
"May the appeal of our Lord in His
intercessory prayer for unity be realized
in our homes, our wards, our stakes,
and in our support of the basic prin-
ciples of our Republic," said President
McKay. (The Instructor, February 1956.
p. 34.)
To that I say Amen and Amen.
President McKay speaks of a unity on
principles. President Clark said:
"God provided that in this land of
liberty, our political allegiance shall
run not to individuals, that is, to gov-
ernment officials, no matter how great
or how small they may be. Under His
plan our allegiance and the only al-
legiance we owe as citizens or denizens
of the United States, runs to our in-
spired Constitution which God Himself
set up. So runs the oath of office of
those who participate in government.
A certain loyalty we do owe to the
 ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 19

office which a man holds, but even question. God

will hold us responsible.
here we owe, just by reason of our Let us not be deceived in the sifting
citizenship, no loyalty to the man him- days ahead. Let us rally together on
self. In other countries it is to the principle behind the prophet as guided
individual that allegiance runs. This by the promptings of the Spirit.
principle of allegiance to the Constitu- We should continue to speak out for
tion is basic to our freedom. It is one freedom and against socialism and com-
of the great principles that distinguishes munism as President McKay has con-
this 'land of liberty' from other sistently admonished us. We should
countries. continue to come to the aid of patriots,
"Thus God added to His priceless programs and organizations which are
blessings to us. trying to save our Constitution through
"I wish to say with all the earnest- every legal and moral means possible.
ness I possess that when you youth and God has not left us in darkness re-
maidens see any curtailment of these garding these matters. We
have the
liberties I have named, when you see scriptures ancient and modern. We
government invading any of these realms have a living prophet, and we may
of freedom which we have under our obtain the Spirit.
Constitution, you will know that they Joseph Smith did see the Father and
are putting shackles on your liberty, and the Son. The kingdom established
that tyranny is creeping upon you, no through the Prophet's instrumentality
matter who curtails these liberties or will roll forth.
who invades these realms, and no mat- We can move forward with it.
ter what the reason and excuse there- That we may all do so and be not
fore may be." (The Improvement Era, deceived is my humble prayer. In the
43, [July 1940] 444.) name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We all should know by now what
President McKay has said about liberty- President David O. McKay:
loving peoples' greatest responsibility.
We've heard him tell of our drift to- Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Coun-
ward socialism and communism. We cil of the Twelve has just spoken to us.
know of his feelings regarding recent The Relief Society Smg ng Mothers;

tragic decisions of the Supreme Court.
We know the Church's position sup-
porting right to work laws and the
Church's opposition to programs of
federal aid to education. These and
many more things has President McKay
told us that involve this great struggle
against state slavery and the anti-Christ.
Now, inasmuch as all these warnings
have come through the only mouth-
piece of the Lord on the earth today
there is one major question we should
ask ourselves. Assuming we are living
a life so we can know, then what does
the Holy Spirit have to say about it?
We are under obligation to answer this
will now favor us with "If Ye Love Me,
Keen My Commandments," conducted
by Sister Florence Jepperson Madden.
The benediction will be offered by
Elder Alex P. Anderson, formerly presi-
dent of the New Zealand South Mission,
after which this Conference will stand
adjourned until 2 o'clock this afternoon.
The Relief Society Singing Mothers
Chorus sang, "If Ye Love Me, Keep My
Commandments."
Elder Alex P. Anderson, formerly pres-
ident of the New Zealand South Mis-
sion, offered the closing prayer.
Conference adjourned until 2:00 p.m.

FIRST DAY
AFTERNOON MEETING
The second session of the Conference presiding and conducting,
convened at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October The Relief Society Singing Mothers
4, 1963, with President David O. McKay from the Phoenix-Mesa (Arizona) area
20 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day
furnished the choral numbers for this and best wishes to all at Conference."
session. From President A. Theodore Tuttle
Florence Jepperson Madsen conducted in South America: "The mission presi-
the singing. Frank W. Asper was at dents, members, and missionaries of
the organ console. South America send greetings to all. We
join in praying for an inspirational and
President David O. McKay: successful Conference."

Members of the Church are convened
in the second general session of the
133rd Semi-Annual Conference of the
Church.
Through the generous cooperation of
their owners and managers, a total of
161 television stations and 24 radio
stations will carry to practically every
state in the Union and to many foreign
countries the proceedings of some ses-
sions of this Conference. These stations
are located from coast to coast. The
names of the stations carrying the pro-
ceedings of this session were announced
to the television and radio audience just
prior to the opening of this meeting.
We appreciate the courtesy of these
owners and managers in broadcasting
the progress of this Conference.
These services are also being broad-
cast in the Assembly Hall by television.
Those who are standing in the door-
ways may possibly find seats in that
building. The Tabernacle is filled to
overflowing and probably many thou-
sands are tuned in on their radios and
televisions. To all we extend a hearty
welcome —to our unseen audience and
to all who are gathered in this great
Tabernacle.
We acknowledge again with appre-
Again, we are favored this afternoon
by the presence of the Relief Society
Singing Mothers from the Phoenix-
Mesa (Arizona) area, with Sister Flor-
ence Jepperson Madsen conducting and
Frank W. Asper at the organ.
We shall begin these services by the
Relief Society Singing Mothers render-
ing, "The Lord's Prayer." The invoca-
tion will be offered by Elder Victor
Bowen, president of the Great Falls
Stake.
The opening selection by the Relief
Society Singing Mothers was "The
Lord's Prayer." (By Robertson)
Elder Victor Bowen, president of the
Great Falls Stake, offered the opening
prayer.
President David O. McKay:
The invocation just offered was by
Elder Victor Bowen, president of the
Great Falls Stake.
The Relief Society Singing Mothers
will now favor us with "Great Is
Jehovah, The Lord," conducted by Sister
Florence Jepperson Madsen.
After the singing President Joseph
Fielding Smith, President of the Coun-
cil of the Twelve, will give the opening

ciation the presence of our stake presi- address.

dencies, high councilmen, bishoprics,
temple presidents, general auxiliary offi-
An anthem, "Great Is Jehovah, The
Lord," was sung by the Singing Mothers
cers, patriarchs, and others. We
extend
Chorus.
also a hearty welcome and express
satisfaction and pleasure in the attend- President David O. McKay:
ance of special guests and prominent
men in the nation and state. President Joseph Fielding Smith will
We have received the following be our first speaker. He will be followed
telegrams: by Elder Marion G. Romney of the
From the London Stake "Greetings Council of the Twelve.

PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My dear brethren and sisters: it required an effort to have my

voice
The first time it was my privilege to carry to all parts of this Tabernacle and
speak to a congregation in this building be heard. Now when we are privileged
 PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH
to speak, we
are conscious of the fact
that our voices may go forth to various
parts of this mortal world. This makes
the speaker conscious of a grave responsi-
bility which rests upon him and the
need of weighing every word. I am
grateful for the coming of the Prophet
Joseph Smith and the restoration of the
gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ in this the greatest of all dispen-
—
sations the greatest, because it is the
last. I am also made aware of the re-
sponsibility which rests upon us, the
elders of Israel, to proclaim the words
of eternal life as they have been re-
vealed from the heavens for the bene-
fit of all the inhabitants of the world.
We are sending missionaries to prac-
tically every country on the globe,
except perhaps one where the lives of
missionaries would be in grave danger
and their message misunderstood. This
obligation of declaring the words of
eternal life devolves upon us by divine
decree, given by the Lord to the Prophet
Joseph Smith in November 1831 in the
following words:
"Hearken, O
ye people of my church,
saith the voice of him who dwells on
high, and whose eyes are upon all
men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye peo-
ple from afar; and ye that are upon
the islands of the sea, listen together.
"For verily the voice of the Lord is
unto all men, and there is none to
escape; and there is no eye that shall
not see, neither ear that shall not
hear, neither heart that shall not
be penetrated.
"And the rebellious shall be pierced
with much sorrow; for their iniquities
shall be spoken upon the housetops,
and their secret acts shall be revealed.
"And the voice of warning shall be
unto all people, by the mouths of my
disciples, whom I have chosen in these
last days.
"And they shall go forth and none
shall stay them, for I the Lord have
commanded them." (D&C 1:1-5.)
It is because of this commandment
which the Lord gave to the Church
through the Prophet Joseph Smith that
our missionaries are sent to all parts
of the world. We
are fulfilling the
edict of the Son of God. Moreover, this
21
is in fulfilment of the promise he made
to his apostles just preceding his cruci-
fixion, when he declared to them:
"And again this gospel of the King-
dom shall be preached in all the world,
for a witness unto all nations, and
then shall the end come, or the de-
struction of the wicked;
"And immediately after the tribula-
tion of those days, the sun shall be
darkened, and the moon shall not give
her light, and the stars shall fall from
heaven, and the powers of heaven shall
be shaken.
"Verily, I say unto you, this genera-
tion, in which these things shall be
shown forth, shall not pass away until
all I have told you shall be fulfilled."
(Joseph Smith 1:31-34.)
The Lord has made great promises
through his servants concerning these
times. To Jeremiah the Lord said in
speaking of this dispensation:
"Behold, the days come, saith the
Lord, that I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel, and with the
house of Judah:
"Not according to the covenant that I
made with their fathers in the day that
I took them by the hand to bring them
out of the land of Egypt; which my
covenant they brake, although I was an
husband unto them saith the Lord:
"But this shall be the covenant that
I will make with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the Lord, I will
put my law in their inward parts, and
write it in their hearts; and will be
their God, and they shall be my people.
"And they shall teach no more every
man his neighbour, and every man his
brother saying, Know the Lord: for
they shall all know me, from the least
of them unto the greatest of them, saith
the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity,
and I will remember their sin no more."
(Jer. 31:31-34.)
In order that this prophecy may be
fulfilled, many members of the Church
will need to repent and be more dili-
gent in the study of the scriptures and
in their prayers and obedience to the
laws and commandments of the gospel.
If they fail to do these things they will
be cut off from the presence of the Lord
in that great day when he shall descend
22 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4
as Lord of lords and King of kings to
take his place and sit on his throne to
rule and reign.
The Prophet Joseph Smith once said:
"The great plan of salvation is a theme
which ought to occupy our strict atten-
tion, and be regarded as one of heaven's
best gifts to mankind. No consideration
whatever ought to deter us from show-
ing ourselves approved in the sight of
God, according to His divine require-
ment. Men not unfrequently forget
that they are dependent upon heaven
for every blessing which they are per-
mitted to enjoy, and that for every op-
portunity granted them they are to give
an account. You know, brethren, that
when the master in the Savior's parable
of the stewards called his servants be-
fore him he gave them several talents
to improve on while he should tarry
abroad for a little season, and when
he returned he called for an accounting.
So it is now. Our Master is absent only
for a little season, and at the end of it
he will call each to render an account;
and where five talents were bestowed,
ten will be required; and he that has
made no improvement will be cast out
as an unprofitable servant, while the
faithful will enjoy everlasting honors.
Therefore, we earnestly implore the
grace of our Father to rest upon you
through Jesus Christ his Son that you
may not faint in the hour of tempta-
tion, nor be overcome in the time of
persecution." (DHC 2, 23-24.)
The Prophet Joseph Smith in one of
his discourses said the following:
". . . If God should speak from heaven,
he would command you not to steal, not
to commit adultery, not to covet, nor
deceive, but be faithful over a few
things. As far as we degenerate from
God, we descend to the devil and lose
knowledge, and without knowledge, we
cannot be saved, and while our hearts
are filled with evil, and we are study-
ing evil, there is no room in our hearts
for good, or studying good. Is not God
good? Then you be good; if he is
faithful, then you be faithful. Add
to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
and seek for every good thing.
". A man is saved no faster than
. .
First Day
he gets knowledge, for if he does not
get knowledge, he will be brought into
captivity by some evil power in the
other world, as evil spirits will have
more knowledge, and consequently more
power than many men who are on the
earth. Hence it needs revelation to
assist us, and give us knowledge of the
things of God." (Ibid., 4, 588.)
How true this statement is. Today
we are troubled by evil-designing per-
sons who are endeavoring with all their
power to destroy the testimonies of
members of the Church, and many
members of the Church are in danger
because of lack of understanding and
because they have not sought the guid-
ance of the Spirit of the Lord. Every
baptized member of the Church re-
ceives the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the
laying on of hands. This, however,
will not save them unless they continue
in the spirit of light and truth. There-
fore it is a commandment from the
Lord that members of the Church
should be diligent in their activities and
study of the fundamental truths of the
gospel as it has been revealed. The
Spirit of the Lord will not continue to
strive with the indifferent, with the way-
ward and the rebellious who fail to live
within the light of divine truth. It is
the privilege of every baptized person
to have an abiding testimony of the
restoration of the gospel, but this testi-
mony will grow dim and eventually
disappear unless we are constantly re-
ceiving spiritual good through study,
obedience, and diligent seeking to know
and understand the truth.
May the Spirit of the Lord be our
constant companion, and may we one
and all be true to our covenants and
obligations devolving upon us through
our membership in the Church. May
the Lord bless you, in the name of
Jesus Christ Amen.
President David O. McKay:
He to whom we have just listened is
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, President
of the Twelve. Elder Romney will now
speak to us. He will be followed by
Elder William J. Critchlow. Jr. ,
 23

ELDER MARION G. ROMNEY

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My beloved brethren and sisters, I be- transformation, an actual change in

lieve the question most frequently put one's understanding of life's meaning
to the General Authorities is, "Don't and in his allegiance to God in inter- —
you remember me?" Some years ago as est, in thought, and in conduct. While
Sister Romney and I sat near President conversion may be accomplished in
and Sister McKay at an MIA Dance stages, one is not really converted in the
Festival, a beautiful little Primary girl full sense of the term unless and until
worked her way through to get the he is at heart a new person. "Born
President's autograph. "President Mc- again" is the scriptural term.
Kay," she said, "do you remember when In one who is wholly converted, de-
you last saw me?" "No, my dear, I sire for things inimical to the gospel
don't," he said gently, "but it must of Jesus Christ has actually died, and
have been a long time ago." "No, it substituted therefor is a love of God
wasn't," she replied, "it was just last with a fixed and controlling determina-
year in Scotland." tion to keep his commandments. Paul
Perhaps the next most frequently told the Romans that such a one would
asked question is, "Do quick baptisms walk in newness of life. "Know ye
stay as active in the Church as when not," he said, "that so many of us as
more time was taken?" Because the were baptized into Jesus Christ were
meaning of "active" is so indefinite, this baptized into his death?
question is something like Paul's "Therefore we are buried with him by
trumpet of uncertain sound. No firm baptism into death: that like as Christ
answer can be given. However, my was raised up from the dead even. . .

observation is that the percentage of so we also should walk in newness of

activity among so-called "quick bap- life." (Rom. 6:3-4.)
tisms" is about the same as it is among Peter taught that by walking in this
those born to church members in the "newness of life" one escapes "the cor-
stakes. ruption that is in the world through
From the time of Father Adam until lust," and by developing within himself
today some people have been baptized faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance,
almost immediately upon hearing the patience, godliness, brotherly kindness,
gospel. Others have investigated long and charity, he becomes a partaker "of
and studiously. So far as I know, the the divine nature."
Lord has never fixed a time limit. The One who walks in newness of life is
only prerequisite he has prescribed is converted. On the other hand, says
"conversion." Peter, "But he that lacketh these things
It is about conversion and the heal- is blind, and cannot see afar off, and
ing which attends it that I wish to hath forgotten that he was purged from
speak. his old sins." (See 2 Pet. 1:1-9.) Such a
I sincerely pray that the Spirit of the one is not converted, even though he
Lord will be with me and that he will may have been baptized.
put his seal upon the things that I There is a striking example of the
do say. change wrought by conversion in Mor-
Webster says the verb, "convert," mon's account of King Benjamin's fare-
means "to turn from one belief or well address. This sermon was so
course to another." That "conversion" powerful that as Benjamin delivered it
is "a spiritual and moral change attend- the multitude fell to the earth; for ". . .

ing a change of belief with conviction." they . . .viewed themselves in their

As used in the scriptures, "converted" own carnal state, . And they all
. .

generally implies not merely mental cried aloud . O have mercy, and
. .

acceptance of Jesus and his teachings apply the atoning blood of Christ that
but also a motivating faith in him and we may receive forgiveness of our sins,
in his gospel —a faith which works a and our hearts may be purified; for we
24 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day
believe in Jesus Christ, theSon of God, confess and forsake all his sins—and
. .
."
(Mosiah 4:2.) he was rejected." (DHC 2, 235.)
Observing their humility, King Ben- Had Mr. Barton obtained membership
jamin continued: "Believe in God; be- in the Church in his then unrepentant
lieve that he is, and that he created all state, it would have availed him nothing
things, believe that he has all
. . . no matter how much he knew about
wisdom, and all power, both in heaven the gospel, because he was not converted.
and in earth; . . . From some of the Savior's sayings it
". believe that ye must repent of
. . would seem that there might even be
your sins and forsake them, and hum- people in high places whose conversion
ble yourselves before God; and ask in is not complete; for example, conversing

sincerity of heart that he would forgive with his apostles at his last supper, he
you; and now, if you believe all these said to Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold,
things see that ye do them." {Ibid., Satan hath desired to have you, that
4:9-10.) he may sift you as wheat:
When he had concluded, he inquired "But I have prayed for thee, that thy
as to whether they believed his words. faith fail not: and when thou art con-
"And they all cried . . . Yea, we be- verted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke
words
lieve all (thy) and also, we . . . 22:31-32.) From this it would appear
." that membership in the Church and
know of their surety and truth, . .

And why were they so confident? Be- conversion are not necessarily synony-
cause as they said: ". the Spirit of . . mous. Being converted, as we are here
the Lord ... has wrought a mighty using the term, and having a testimony
change in us, or in our hearts, that we are not necessarily the same thing
have no more disposition to do evil, but either. A testimony comes when the
to do good continually. Holy Ghost gives the earnest seeker a
"And (they continued) we are willing witness of the truth. A moving testi-
to enter into a covenant with our God mony vitalizes faith; that is, it induces
to do his will, and to be obedient to repentance and obedience to the com-
his commandments in all things all . . . mandments. Conversion, on the other
the remainder of our days, . .
." (Ibid., hand, is the fruit of, or the reward for,
5:2, 5.) repentance and obedience. (Of course
Although these people seem to have one's testimony continues to increase
been converted rather quickly from a as he is converted.)
"disposition to do evil" to a determina- Conversion is effected by divine for-
tion "to do good continually" all the giveness, which remits sins. The se-
remainder of their days, they evidently quence is something like this. An
fully met the conditions prescribed by honest seeker hears the message. He
the Lord for baptism, when he said: asks the Lord in prayer if it is true. The
". All those who humble themselves
. . Holy Spirit gives him a witness. This
before God, and desire to be baptized, is a testimony. If one's testimony is
and come forth with broken hearts and strong enough, he repents and obeys the
contrite spirits, and witness before the commandments. By such obedience he
church that they have truly repented receives divine forgiveness which remits
of all their sins, and are willing to take sin. Thus he converted to a newness
is

upon them the name of Jesus Christ, of life. His healed.

spirit is
having a determination to serve him to From what Jesus said at the time he
the end, and truly manifest by their healed the man "sick with the palsy,"
works that they have received of the it would seem that remittance of sins
Spirit of Christ unto the remission of is the therapy which heals and that the

their sins, shall be received by baptism two terms are synonymous. Concern-
into his church." (D&C 20:37.) ing that incident, Luke says, ". the . .

That the Prophet applied these in- power of the Lord was present to
structions strictly is apparent from this heal. . .
." (Ibid., 5:17.) Jesus, recog-
entry July 5, 1835:
in his diary of nizing the faith of the palsied man and
"Michael H. Barton tried to get into his associates, ". said unto him, Man,
. .

the Church, but he was not willing to thy sins are forgiven thee." (Ibid., 5:20.)
 ELDER MARION G. ROMNEY 25

For this the Pharisees charged him with be converted, that I may heal you?"
blasphemy, saying within themselves, (3 Nephi 9:13.)
". . . Who
can forgive sins but God? Somebody recently asked how one
. .
." (Ibid., 5:21.) Perceiving their could know when he
is converted. The
thoughts, Jesus said, "Whether is easier, answer simple.
is He may be assured
to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to of it when by
the power of the Holy
say, Rise up and walk?" Then he Spirit his soul is healed. When this
added, "But that ye may know that the occurs, he will recognize it by the way
Son of man hath power upon earth to he feels, for he will feel as the people
forgive sins, (he said to the sick of the of Benjamin felt when they received
palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, and take remission of sins. The record says, . . .

up thy couch, and go into thine house." the Spirit of the Lord came upon them,
(Ibid., 5:23-24.) This, of course, the and they were filled with joy, having
man immediately did. received a remission of their sins, and
In this instance there was a physical having peace of conscience, ." . .

healing. Sometimes there is also a heal- (Mosiah 4:3.)

ing of the nervous system or of the
mind. But always the remittance of
sins which attends divine forgiveness
heals the spirit. This accounts for the
fact that in the scriptures conversion
and healing are repeatedly associated.
For example, in 1837 the Lord said
to Thomas B. Marsh, then President of
the Quorum of the Twelve, ". pray
for thy brethren of the Twelve. Ad-
monish them sharply for my name's
sake, and let them be admonished
all their sins, . . . the other hand, there can be nothing so
"And after their temptations, and
much tribulation, behold. I, the Lord,
will feel after them, and if they harden
not their hearts, and stiffen not their
necks against me, they shall be con-
verted, and I will heal them." (D&C
112:12-13. Italics added.)
Jesus frequently spoke of his healing
the converted. Citing Isaiah, he said,
". .this people's heart is waxed gross,
. God. This implies that the candidate
and their ears are dull of hearing, and
their eyes they have closed; lest at any
time they should see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears, and should
understand with their heart, and should
be converted, and I should heal them."
(Matt. 13:15.)
At the opening of his mortal ministry
he told his fellow townsmen in
Nazareth that he had been sent
to heal the brokenhearted,
(Luke 4:18.)
To the distraught Nephites he thus
spoke out of the awful darkness which
attended his crucifixion: "O all ye that
are spared because ye were more right-
eous than they, will ye not now return
unto me, and repent of your sins, and
When Alma the younger was con-
verted he said: "... I could remember
my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed
up by the memory of my sins no more.
"And oh, what joy, and what marvel-
ous light I did behold; yea, soul my
was filled with joy as exceeding as was
my pain!
. . "Yea, I say unto you, my son, that
there could be nothing so exquisite and
so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and
for again I say unto you, my son, that on
exquisite and sweet as was joy." my
(Alma 36:19-21.)
As a third and final guide, I quote
from President Joseph F. Smith: "No
person can be properly baptized unless
he has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and has repented of his sins, with a re-
pentance that need not be repented of.
But faith comes by hearing the word of
must be taught. Efficient teaching and
preparation must precede the ordinance,
so that the candidate may have a proper
appreciation and conception of its pur-
poses. The call to baptism, in the mis-
sion of our Savior, was always preceded
by instructions in the doctrines which
he taught." (The Improvement Era, 14,
266; Gospel Doctrine, Joseph F. Smith,
". . . 7th ed, p. 99.)
. .
." Speaking of his own experience, he
said: "The feeling that came upon me
was that of pure peace, of love and of
light. I felt in my
if I hadsoul that
sinned —
and surely I was not without
sin —
that it had been forgiven me; that
I was indeed cleansed from sin; my
heart was touched, and I felt that I
26 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day

would not injure the smallest insect Nevertheless, I know arid solemnly wit-
beneath my feet. I felt as if I wanted ness that there is no other means by
to do good everywhere to everybody which the sin-sick souls of men can be
and to everything. I felt newness of
a healed or for a troubled world to find
life, a newness of desire do that
to peace. I know that the unbelieving
which was right. There was not one will reject this divine way. But this
particle of desire for evil left in my is nothing new. They have been re-
soul. I was but a little boy, it is true, jecting ever since the time of Cain.
it

when was baptized; but this was the

I They have from the beginning refused
influence that came upon me, and I to accept Christ and his gospel. They
know that it was from God, and was and killed the ancient prophets. They
ever has been a living witness to me of burned Abinadi. They stoned Samuel
my acceptance of the Lord." (April the Lamanite. They crucified the Lord
Conference Report, 1898; Gospel Doc- himself. In our own day they mar-
trine, Joseph F. Smith, 7th ed., p. 96.) tyred Joseph Smith, Jun., the great
As Jesus ministered among the prophet of the restoration. But all that
Nephites, he told them not to admin- has happened in the past has not, and
ister the Sacrament to the unworthy, all that occurs in the future will not,
but to continue laboring with them; change the truth that conversion to
". . for ye know not but what they
. Jesus Christ and his gospel is the one
will return and repent, and come unto and only way; for still it must be said
me with full purpose of heart, and I that "there is none other way given
shall heal them; and ye shall be the
under heaven by which men must be
means of bringing salvation unto them."
Nephi 18:32.)
saved." (See Acts 4:12.) To this I wit-
(3
Getting people's spirits healed through ness in solemn testimony.
conversion is the only way they can be
healed. I know this is an unpopular
President David O. McKay:
doctrine and a slow way to solve the
problems of men and nations. As a Elder Marion G. Romney of the
matter of fact, I am convinced that Council of the Twelve has just spoken
relatively few among the billions of to us. We shall now hear Elder William
earth's inhabitants will be converted. J. Critchlow, Jr., Assistant to the Twelve.

ELDER WILLIAM J. CRITCHLOW, JR.

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Over a score or so of years, I promoted have never seen; I don't really know
and sold something I have never seen; what it is. I have not only never seen
I didn't even know what it was I still — it; I have never heard it; I have never

don't. I have not only never seen it; I smelled it; I have never tasted it; I
have tried assiduously to avoid touch- have never touched it, but on occasions
ing it. Once, stringing lights on a it has touched me. More than once, as
Christmas tree, I accidentally got my I officiated in priesthood ordinance
finger in an empty socket; oh, I felt it! work, I have felt it.

Who knows what electricity is?

really Who really knows what this great
We know what it can do. It lights power of the priesthood is? know We
this it lights our homes; it
building; what it can do. By that power this and
lights streets; it runs our factories
our other worlds were created and will be
and our mills; it affords us lovely music, redeemed (JD 15, 127; 24, 242); by that
radio, television, and a score of wonder- power the city of Enoch was taken up
ful appliances in our homes, but who to heaven (Joseph Smith's Teachings,
really knows what this great power, p. 170), by that power the waters of
called electricity, actually is? the Red Sea were parted to liberate
Over the same score or so of years, I Israel; by that power Elijah sealed the
promoted another something which I heavens so that no rain or dew fell upon
 — —

ELDER WILLIAM /. CR1TCHLOW, jR. 27

the earth; by that power Brigham Young mission presidents, quorum presidents,
rebuked the frost and the sterility of bishops, and others. "No man taketh
the soil, and this valley became fruit- this honour unto himself, but he that
ful. Two thousand years ago, one is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb.
possessing that power gave new eyes to 5:4.) "We believe that a man must
the blind, new legs to the halt, turned be called of God, by prophecy, and by
water into wine, walked on the water, the laying on of hands, by those who
cleansed lepers, cast out evil spirits, fed are in authority to administer in the . . .

thousands by blessing a few loaves and ordinances thereof." (5th Article of

fishes, restored life to the dead. Two Faith.) Aaron was so called and or-
thousand years later even today — dained. (D&C 27:8.)
bearers of that same priesthood power, "Some suppose this authority may be
again cast out devils, restore health to derived from the Bible," said President
the sick, and in other ways employ that Joseph F. Smith, "but nothing could be
power. Employing it, a young man, more absurd. ... If by reading and
Nephi by name, once shocked his as- believing the Bible this authority could
sailants into submission by pointing be obtained, all who read and believed
his hand at them. The assailants were would have it one equally with an- —
his brothers. (1 Nephi 17:53.) other. . . . God Almighty is the only
Again, let me ask who, among all source from whence this knowledge,
mortal men, really knows what this power and authority can be ob-
marvelous priesthood power actually is? tained, . . . The Scriptures may serve
Obviously it is power; its source, ob- as a guide to lead us to God, . but . .

viously, too, is God. Why not call it they can do no more." (JD 19, 191.)
then for what it truly is the power of Priesthood is eternal and everlasting.
God? (C.R., Joseph F. Smith, p. 5, The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "The
October 1904.) President John Taylor Priesthood is an everlasting principle,
so called it saying, "It is nothing more and existed with God from eternity, and
nor less than the power of God." (John will to eternity, without beginning of
Taylor, Gospel Kingdom, p. 129.) days or end of years. ." Adam ob- .

—
.

Priesthood is more than power it is tained the priesthood "in the Creation,
authority. Quoting President Joseph F. before the world was formed." He
again: "It is . the power of God
. . (Adam) stands at the head as the pre-
delegated to man by which man can siding high priest (under Christ) over
act in the earth ... in the name of the all the earth for all ages. Qosevh Smith's
Father and the Son and the Holy Teachings, pp. 157-158.) This priest-
Ghost, and act legitimately; ." (Op. . . hood of the holy order, known later as
cit., Joseph F. Smith, p. 5, October the Melchizedek Priesthood, continued
1904.) He also said: "The Priesthood in patriarchal order without a break
in general is the authority given to man with Adam's worthy descendants until
to act for God. . But it is necessary
. . the day of Moses. (D&C 84:6-16;
that every act performed under this au- 107:41-53.)
thority shall be done at the proper time Through Moses the Lord attempted
and place, in the proper way, and after to setup the house of Israel soon after
the proper order. The power of direct- from Egyptian bondage
their liberation
ing these labors constitute the keys of as a kingdom of priests of this holy
the Priesthood. In their fullness these patriarchal order. He sent Moses down
keys are held by only one person at a from the Mount with tablets of stone
time, the prophet and president of The upon which were inscribed principles
Church." (The Improvement Era 4, of salvation, but seeing the people en-
230.) gaged in idol worship, Moses dashed the
President David O. McKay holds all tablets to the ground, breaking them
of the keys of the priesthood. He or his into fragments. Again, the Lord called
predecessors in office have directly Moses up on the Mount, and there he
(personally) or indirectly (by delegat- rewrote with his finger on tablets
ing authority to others) conferred keys which Moses had prepared the Ten
upon temple presidents, stake presidents, Commandments; but he deleted this
 —

28 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day

time the salvation principles which and resurrection in Jerusalem.

necessitated priesthood of the holy
patriarchal order, denying thereby his
children the Melchizedek Priesthood.
crucifixion
"The holy Priesthood is a system of
laws and government that is pure and
holy; ." (]D 7:202)— "a perfect law of
. .

Later he removed Moses, who held the theocracy." (Joseph Smith's Teachings,
Melchizedek Priesthood, thus leaving p. 322.) Presently, it is the government
Israel with only a Lesser Priesthood, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
called the Aaronic Priesthood, after day Saints God's — kingdom here on
Aaron upon whom it was conferred. earth. Eventually, when the kingdom
(Exod. Inspired Version. 34:1-2; D&C embraces the earth, when ". every . .

84:17-25.) From that time on until the knee should bow, and every tongue . . .

Savior's ministry on earth, this was gen- should confess that Jesus Christ is
erally the prevailing authority of God Lord, . .
."
(Phil. 2:10-11.) I sincerely
on the earth. expect priesthood will be the governing
Jesus restored at his coming the world power. Can man devise a better
Higher Priesthood, he being "the Great system of laws and government?
High Priest, forever after the order of Priesthood is responsibility. Jesus was
Melchizedek," (Joseph Smith's Teach- given the responsibility of this earth.
ings, p. 158, Heb. 5:6; 2:17-18) but Absenting himself, he left his kingdom
after the passing of his apostles there here on earth in the hands of his offi-
was no one left holding the keys, to cers —those who hold the priesthood.
authorize the ordination of any mortal The kingdom is no stronger nor better
man to any office in either priesthood. than its President Wilford ofPcers.
The apostate world accordingly was left Woodruff said, "The highest calling the
without priesthood for about sixteen Lord ever called any human being to
long, dark centuries. Then in May in any age of the world, has been to
1829 the Lord sent John the Baptist, a receive the Holy Priesthood, with its
firstborn, literal descendant of Aaron, keys and powers." (Wilford Woodruff,
who held the keys of the Aaronic or Millennial Star 58:305, April 5, 1896.)
Lesser Priesthood, to restore that priest- When men take a priesthood calling,
hood. He also sent, soon after, the they covenant to magnify it; they take
Apostles Peter, James, and John, who upon them the obligation to labor with
held the keys of the Higher or Mel- zeal and energy in their particular call-
chizedek Priesthood, to restore that ing. (D8C 84:109, 110; 107:99-100.)
priesthood. The recipients of both President Joseph F. Smith asked:
priesthoods were the great American "Will you who hold the priesthood,
Prophet Joseph Smith and his associate profane the name of Deity? Would you
Oliver Cowdery. be riotous, and eat and drink with the
From Adam to Moses the existent drunken . . . ? Would you . . . forget
priesthood was patriarchal or Mel- your prayers and fail to remember the
chizedek or the Holy Priesthood all — Giver of all good? Would you . . .

one and the same. Those who held it violate the confidence and the love of
—
were high priests and patriarchs it had God . ? Would you
. dishonor
. . . .

no appendages. From Moses to Jesus your wife or your children? Will . . .

the prevailing priesthood was Aaronic you honor the Sabbath day and keep it
sometimes called Levitical. The first- holy? Will you observe the law of
born sons of Aaron's posterity were the tithing and all the requirements of the
"high priests" (higher priests in the gospel? Will you carry with you at
Aaronic Priesthood); the sons of Levi all times the spirit of prayer and the
were their assistants. Appendages to desire to be good? Will you teach your
both priesthoods were added by our children the principles of and sal- life

Lord who gave his Church in Palestine vation? . .

." (The Improvement Era 21,
apostles, bishops, evangelists, high 105-106.)
priests, seventies, elders, priests, teachers, Sometimes men relax and treat their
and deacons. He similarly perfected priesthood responsibilities lightly in the
his Church upon this American conti- home, failing to teach their families the
nent when he appeared here after his gospel, failing to have family prayers,
 —

ELDER WILLIAM ]. CRITCHLOW, JR. 29

failing to use the priesthood when sick-
ness uninvitingly stalks the home. Hus-
bands and sons are sometimes lax in
their duties because they lack the co-
operation and encouragement of their
wives and mothers.
The sisters would do
ing the counsel of the Prophet, they
provoked their husbands and sons to
do good works (Relief Society minutes,
—
March 17, 1842) priesthood works.
Husbands, rightfully and scripturally
too, are the family heads (Eph. 5:23)
the state of resurrected souls. Did the
resurrection act involve an ordinance of
the priesthood —
a necessary ordinance,
presently unrevealed? Certainly the
resurrection act is another manifestation
of the great power of the priesthood.
well, if, follow- —
May I ask how can we achieve eternal
life without the blessings and ordinances
of the priesthood?
The power of the Melchizedek Priest-
hood is to have the power of "endless
lives," said the Prophet Joseph Smith.
".. And all those," he said, "who are
.

its priests and its spokesmen. The ordained unto this priesthood are made
wives, thanks be to God, are the fam- like unto the Son of God, abiding a
ily hearts. priest continually." (Heb. 7:3. Inspired
Version.) He further said, "Those hold-
"There is a center in each home from ing the fulness of the Melchizedek
which all joys must start. Priesthood are kings and priests of the
"That center? It is a mother's heart." Most High God, holding the keys of
power and blessing." Our Lord ap-
With love and kindness and with praised this wonderful gift in these
tact, of course, the heart can usually words:
—
sway the head even into priesthood ". . . all they who receive this priest-
activity. Such endeavor is expected of hood receive me, . . .

our sisters. "And he that receiveth me receiveth

The subject of this talk could well be my Father;
— For Men Only. Priesthood is for men "And he that receiveth Father my
only — it is not conferred upon women. receiveth my
Father's kingdom; there-
The sisters may be set apart as officers fore all that my
Father hath shall be
in the priesthood auxiliaries, but they given unto him." (D&C 84:35, 37-38.)
are never ordained to office in the priest- No mortal man will ever realize all
hood. They do not share the priesthood of the blessings in this great promise
with their husbands, fathers, or sons. as he dwells here in this mundane
They do share the blessings of the priest- period of our everlasting lives, but by
hood with their husbands, fathers, or reason of priesthood which is attained
sons. They do share the blessings with and honored, we have God's promise
their husbands; sealed in a temple, they that sometime we may become like
go along hand in hand with them to- unto God. ". all that my Father
. .

ward exaltation, finally reigning as
"queens and priestesses" with their hus-
bands who become "kings and priests."
(D&C 94:41.) Infrequently a sister asks:
Why can't we (sisters) hold the priest-
hood? My answer: If
whose business priesthood
to hold it, he will let his prophet know.
Until then there is nothing we can do
about it.
Priesthood is God's greatest gift to his
children, save perhaps the gift of his
Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Some may rate the gift of mortality,
followed by immortality and the prom-
ise of eternal life as
Priesthood, being an eternal principle,
existed before mortality. Immortality is
hath shall be given unto him." (D&C
84:38.) Incidentally, God had some-
thing to say about those who do not
honor their priesthood. I have not
time to inject his dour warning into
and when he my remarks today. All who hold the
is wants you priesthood, however, should read what
he said.
To you who bear the priesthood, may
I say: In an inventory of your posses-
sions —
physical, mental, spiritual, and
financial —
priesthood, if honored, may
be your greatest asset; it could be the
best investment you ever made. It costs
you nothing; its dividends can be fabu-
a greater gift. lous. Appraise it honestly and list it
high up among your assets on your
life's balance sheet. And you who are
 30 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day
not honoring your priesthood, debit it The congregation and chorus will
high up on the liability side of your now join in singing, "O, Say What Is
life's balance sheet. It could well be Truth?" Sister Florence Jepperson Mad-
your greatest liability. You could, sen will conduct. After the singing Elder
sooner or later, find yourself bankrupt John Longden will speak to us.
in the kingdom of God. As of this day,
is your priesthood an asset or a liability? The Singing Mothers Chorus and the
I bear testimony regarding the power congregation joined in singing the
of the priesthood in our restored Church, hymn, "O Say, What Is Truth?"
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
President David O. McKay:
President David O. McKay:
Elder John Longden, Assistant to the
Elder William J. Critchlow, Jr., As- Twelve, will now address us. He will
sistant to the Twelve, has just spoken be followed by Elder Franklin D.
to us. Richards.

ELDER JOHN LONGDEN

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brothers and sisters, I am so grate- indicates the depth of this great

ful to be able to use this salutation and principle.
know that we are brothers and sisters It was exemplified by the Savior
in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. A story when he livedupon the earth. On one
I read recently is appropriate here. occasion, he was queried by one of the
A preacher in a small community de- scribes: "What is the great command-
cided to do some remodeling and reno- ment in the law?" In reply, Jesus
vating of his church. To begin with taught an eternal truth. "Thou shalt
he requested a new chandelier. After love the Lord thy God with all thy
three or four weeks had elapsed and it heart, and with all thy soul, and with
hadn't arrived, he approached one of all thy mind, and with all thy strength:
the deacons on the board and inquired this is the first commandment.
why. He was informed there were "And the second is like, namely, this.
three reasons: "First, it hadn't been Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy-
ordered because there was no one on the self " (Mark 12:30-31.) "On these
board who could spell 'chandelier.' two commandments hang all the law
Second, we were afraid there wouldn't and the prophets." (Matt. 22:40.)
be anyone to play it when it came. And There was none other commandment
third, what we really need in this greater than these, so said Jesus. (Idem.)
church is more light." The Apostle Paul spoke on this great
I recognize we have light today which principle many times in plain, under-
comes through our prophet and mouth- standable language.
piece. We also have the light from the Even though changing conditions
teachings of the Master almost two exist in the world today, and many

thousand years ago, and I should like people are confused, the application of
this one principle in our everyday lives
to speak at this time on what I believe
will bring happiness, contentment,
is a crying need in the world today, on
and peace.
the basic principle of the gospel of
Surely, if I love my fellow man, I will
Jesus Christ which is love. not cheat him, lie about him, or commit
The scriptures teach: "For God so any manner of evil against him. So
loved the world, that he gave his only again, loving all my fellow men, I will
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth truly find happiness, contentment, and a
in him should not perish, but have peace that passeth understanding.
everlasting life." (John 3:16.) This Paul was inspired to reveal the virtues,
 ELDER ]OHN LONGDEN 31

or may we call them ingredients, of the truth." (See ibid., 13:5-6.) Paul, we
which love is composed. Addressing the see, had a depth of understanding re-
Corinthian Saints who had membership garding this great principle of love and
in the Church of Jesus Christ, Paul the blessings to be attained by those
said: "Love suffereth long and is kind." who would honor and recognize and
(See 1 Cor. 13:4.) We sing a great put into effect in their lives these two
hymn, maybe not often enough, "Let commandments, for he said: "Eye hath
Us Oft Speak Kind Words to Each not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
Other." So much more is accomplished entered into the heart of man, the
by speaking in kind words and soft things which God hath prepared for
tones. them that love him." (1 Cor. 2:9.)
"Love envieth not." We look at others As I tour missions or come into your
and think the grass is greener on their stakes each week, I have a great hope
side. We sometimes might wonder for the future because of the many just
why ours seems not as green, but love plain, good people who are applying
envieth not. "Love vaunteth not itself, all the principles of love in their lives.
is not puffed up." (See ibid., 13:4.) In I say to you, God bless you.
other words, love teaches true humility. The English statesman, William
Jesus taught it in one parable [parable Gladstone, said: "We look forward to
of Pharisee and Publican], "Whosoever the time when the power of love will
shall exalt himself shall be abased; and replace the love of power; then will
he that shall humble himself shall be our world know the blessing of peace."
exalted." (Matt. 23:12.) What a difference the placing of words
Daniel Webster had a great thought makes. The love of power or the power
when
thought
asked, "What is the highest
that has ever entered your
of love —worlds apart!
It is essential to love God, love his
mind?" He answered, "My account- Son Jesus Christ and love our neighbor
ability to Almighty God." as ourselves.
We who have a testimony of the We are living in a world of automa-
gospel should recognize our accountabil- tion. Machines seem to be taking over
ity to God regardless of what our all our jobs. Edwin Markham, an
achievements might be in business, in American poet, had a great idea that
church, in school, in civic affairs. is worth repeating: "The way things
Paul further said: "Love doth not are going, we had better learn to do
behave itself unseemly." (See 1 Cor. things machines can't do. Love each
13:5.) other, for instance."
President McKay said it in a few Throughout his ministry, the Master
words some time ago: are here in "We kept repeating the importance of love
mortality to develop the power of self- on many occasions. He said: "A new
mastery." Every single day we have commandment I give unto you, that ye
opportunity to practise this art of
love one another; as I have loved you,
self-mastery.
that ye also love one another.
Again Paul said, "Love seeketh not
her own." (See ibid., 13:5.) The Savior
"By this shall all men know that ye
taught by his own example, to lose are my disciples, if ye have love one to
ourselves in the service of others. Our another." (John 13:34-35.)
beloved prophet said on his ninetieth Do you think a teacher who drove
birthday: "You may travel the world some twenty miles in a battered old
over but you will not find happiness or car whenever there was a meeting to
contentment until you lose yourself in pick up just one little girl who lived
the service of mankind." This, of course, in a remote area of the stake had a love
would mean sacrifice to God and of God for her fellow men? I doubt that
our neighbor. anyone really knew what she was doing.
Continuing, Paul said: "Love is not Ijust happened to hear about it.
easily provoked. Love thinketh no evil. Oh, may God give us the faith and
Love irejoiceth not in iniquity, but in the desire to put this commandment of
32 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day
the Lord into effect. ". love one an-
. . pray in the name of the Lord Jesus
other; as I have loved you, that ye Christ, our Savior. Amen.
shall also love one another." (Ibid.,
13:24.) Then the world may know President David O. McKay:
that we are true disciples of the Lord
Jesus Christ. God give us the faith, Elder John Longden, Assistant to the
the courage, the determination to make Twelve, has just spoken to us. Elder
application of these two great command- Franklin D. Richards, an Assistant, will
ments in our lives each day, I humbly be our next speaker.

ELDER FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My dear brothers and sisters:
Sister Richards and I have recently
returned from the missions on the east
coast, and we rejoice in the
growth of the kingdom. I am continu-
ally amazed and pleased as I travel
throughout the missions and stakes of
the Church to find so many members
accepting the admonition of President
McKay to be missionaries. How many
of you have had the joy of seeing your
friends and neighbors take an interest
in the Church and be baptized, because
of your being a missionary?
Today I would like to talk to you
about the Every Member a Missionary
program —
an inspired, effective, and
interesting plan. One of the important
characteristics of the Church of Jesus
Christ is missionary activity. The
Savior has charged us to ". teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost." (Matt. 28:19.) And every
nation includes our friends and the peo-
ple we casually meet regardless of
where we live.
The question is: How can we, a rela-
tively small group, accomplish this great
responsibility? Certainly not with the
sixteen thousand full-time, stake, and
district missionaries we now have re-
gardless of how good they arel
But, our beloved Prophet David O.
McKay has given us the Every Member
a Missionary plan. We
can take the
gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue,
and people as the Every Member a Mis-
sionary plan is understood and used
effectively throughout the Church and
by using modern methods which be-
come available as the Lord pours his
Spirit upon all flesh.
Heretofore, missionaries generally
tremendous spent most of their time in finding in-
terested persons to teach and a small
part of their time in teaching. Now,
the Every Member a Missionary plan
gives the members a chance to do mis-
sionary work by finding interested per-
sons for the missionaries to teach. This
greatly increases the effectiveness of the
missionaries. They can teach many
more people, particularly as they are
taught in groups.
In working with the east coast mis-
sions, I find that the great increase in
convert baptisms, and especially bap-
tisms of entire families, is more and
more attributable to the fact that a
greater number of members are finding
. . interested persons for the missionaries
—
to teach and the members are loving it.
We had the opportunity of meeting
many of these wonderful members and
hearing of their exciting and happy
experiences. I am confident that there
are thousands of members of the Church
that have a sincere desire to do mission-
ary work, but don't know what to do
or how to do it. How then can a
member, regardless of age or sex, become
an effective missionary within the mean-
— ing of the prophet's admonition Every —
Member a Missionary?
You ask, what can Well, you
I do?
can find persons who would like to
know more about the Church. But,
how can I find such persons? The fol-
lowing three ways are pretty much the
basis of the Every Member a Mission-
ary Program.
First, ask people what they know
 ELDER FRANKLIN
about the Church and if they would
like to —
know more yes, ask the golden
questions.
Second, take your friends and neigh-
bors to church meetings and socials.
Third, live the gospel. As your
friends and neighbors feel your love,
they will want to know more about
the Church.
All three of these ways are part of
the referral program as you arrange for
the missionaries to teach the interested
persons. Whenyou find interested
persons either by personal contact, over
the telephone, or by correspondence,
bring them into your home, preferably
in a group and ask the missionaries in
to give them the discussions. If they
are out of the area, have your bishop
give you the name and address of
the nearest stake or mission to where the
interested person lives and send the
referral to the stake or mission presi-
dent together with details of how you
secured the name and other pertinent
information.
Let me elaborate on the three ways
you can find persons who want to know
more about the Church, by giving you a
few interesting examples:
First, ask the golden questions as you
meet people personally or over the tele-
phone or through the mail. I have
asked the golden questions hundreds of
times, and I have never embarrassed
myself or the person I have asked. A "My
few weeks ago I was registering in a
motel in Raleigh, North Carolina. I
asked the golden questions of the young
man at the desk. He was not inter-
ested, but the young man standing be-
hind him overheard our conversation.
He had been to Salt Lake City, was
impressed, and wanted to know more. I
told him we had missionaries in Raleigh,
and he gave me his name and
He was very interested in having the
missionaries call and tell him more
about the Church. I immediately
turned this golden contact over to the
missionaries.
A bishop's wife in Atlanta, Georgia,
wanted to do missionary work but didn't
know how or when she could find the
time and still take care of her young
family. The missionaries suggested that
she telephone proselyte, ask the golden
D. RICHARDS 33
questions over the telephone from her
own home in the evening after the
children were in bed. She told me that
the missionaries showed her how and
that it was thrilling and most reward-
ing and not embarrassing. She has
found many interested persons for the
missionaries to teach.
During the last year, thousands of
letters have been written asking the
golden questions. Many have responded,
asking that the missionaries call on
them, others have asked for literature
or the Home Study guide discussions —
by mail. Recently a woman from
—
Oceola, Iowa, wrote us "I am so glad
that you are sending me these discus-
sions. I thank you. Would it be too
much to ask you to send me more of
Joseph Smith's works?"
Now the second way of finding inter-
ested persons is by taking your friends
and neighbors to church meetings
and socials. In Bowling Green, Ken-
tucky, the Relief Society needed an
organist The president asked a non-
member friend to help them out. She
replied she would be glad to, and before
long she became interested, was taught
the gospel by the missionaries and was
baptized.
In the Southern States Mission a
young girl was walking home with a
friendand began humming, "Come,
Come, Ye Saints." Her friend said,
that's a beautiful melody. What
is it?" The girl told her about it and
made a date to take her to a church
service. After attending a few times
she arranged for the missionaries to
teach her family. The family have all
been baptized and are happy, doing
their part in building the kingdom.
I mentioned living the gospel as the
third way to find interested persons.
address. About ten days ago I was showing a
man and his wife from Iowa around
Temple Square. They were very inter-
ested and particularly so when Brother
Alexander Schreiner took an active in-
terest in them, showing them the organ
and how it is played. Brother Schreiner
really went the extra mile. I asked
them if they knew any members of our
Church in Iowa. They replied, yes, a
wonderful family. Recently when a
friend of theirs had a baby, this fam-
34 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4 First Day
ily took the children of the woman "Remember the worth of souls is

who was having baby into their

the
home while the mother was in the
hospital. Both Brother Schreiner and
the Iowa family were evidencing their
love of their fellow men. These inci-
dents have been an important factor
in interesting this couple. They ex-
pressed a desire to know more about
the Church.
A
short time ago while having dinner
in a New York restaurant, we asked our
waiter, a very fine man, the golden
questions. He replied enthusiastically
that he had been to Utah and Cali-
fornia and had met several Latter-day
Saint families, was very much
great in the sight God"; (Ibid.,
of
18:10.) And again the Lord has said:
"And if it so be that you should labor
all your days in crying repentance unto
this people, and bring, save it be one
soul unto me, how great shall be your
joy with him in the kingdom of
my Father!
"And now, if your joy will be great
with one soul that you have brought
unto me into the kingdom of my Father,
how great will be your joy if you should
bring many souls unto me!" (Ibid.,
18:15-16.)
My brothers and sisters, we are en-
impressed gaged in building the kingdom. I know

with their way of life, and would like that God lives and that Jesus is the
to know more about the Church. He Christ. The gospel has been restored
gave us his address in Brooklyn and in its fulness, and it is our duty and
seemed anxious to have the mission- great opportunity to share it with others.
aries call at his home and give him and Joseph Smith was a great prophet,
his family the discussions. We
promptly and David O. McKay is a great prophet.
gave this good referral to the mission May we sustain our prophet in every
president in New York. way.
Most of us have had unusual experi- Yes, the Every Member a Missionary
ences with people becoming interested program is inspired and is effective.
and wanting to know more about the May we get the vision of two million
Church. The Lord has said, "Be ye missionaries bringing souls into the
strong from henceforth; fear not for the kingdom, and may we feel the joy,
kingdom is yours." (D&C 38:15.) So happiness, and salvation that comes
let's —
not fear henceforth ask the golden from active missionary work, I pray in
the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
questions, take your friends and neigh-
bors to Church meetings and socials,
and live the gospel. As you do these President David O. McKay:
things, you will find many persons
who are knowing more
interested in The missionary to whom we have just
about the Church, and you will be a listened is Elder Franklin D. Richards.

missionary within the meaning of the Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Coun-
prophet's admonition —Every Member cil of the Twelve will be our concluding

a Missionary. speaker.

ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Brothers and sisters and friends
air audience:
Today we remember with deep
tion our beloved leader Henry D. Moyle,
and from his stirring sermon last April
conference, we can still hear his earnest
voice saying:
"I believe with all my heart and soul
that the solution to our problems here
upon this earth today and tomorrow is
to be found in the knowledge and ap-
of the preciation of man's relationship to God,
his dependence upon God, and his
affec- obedience to God's laws.
"There is absolutely nothing of such
great worth to man as to know God."
In my childhood, we had mottoes
hanging on our walls sometimes em-
broidered, sometimes painted, these for
decoration and for inspiration. One I
remember read: "What is home without
a mother." From my infancy, every time
 ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL
I entered the house, I called, "Mama,"
over and over until I found her. Totally
satisfied in the security her presence
afforded, I ran again to play. Just to
know she was there! That was all.
When I was eleven, Mother passed
away and from my aching heart came
numerous times, "Mama," as I entered
the house, but there were only mocking
echoes of emptiness. Later the void was
filled whenour stepmother gave pres-
ence to the home and again through my
youth, I called and found my security
in the welcome answer, "I am here, son."
It was the same red brick house
through the days of security and the
days of desolation, the same shelf-filled
pantry, the same wood stove and water
tank, the same parlor with its rag
carpet and the same old clock ticking
away the hours and days and years, but
stability and sureness and peace were
there, for Mother was there, and se-
curity was and the house breathed
there,
belongingness.
On Labor Day 2,000 young people
converged on the little resort town of
Seaside, Oregon, repeating their last
year's devastation, smashing windows,
ripping street and shop signs down, and
requiring 100 police plus National
Guardsmen to quell the rioting, and I
wondered if these 2,000 homes from
which they came were normal ones with
a mother at home who could answer,
"Yes, dear, I am here."
Again, the news reported 30,000 teen-
agers rioting on a California beach,
filling beer cans and bottles with sand
and throwing them at police, boys
stripping girls and sex indulgence com-
mon and unabashed. And we wondered
how many of these 30,000 fathers were
furnishing cars and money for their
children to vacation at resorts; for beer
and brutishness, and who provided the
gasoline, and who paid the fines?
And, we wondered how many of the
30,000 mothers were making homes and
how many making money. How can
mothers justify their abandonment of
home when they are needed so much
by their offspring? Rationalization must
take over as they justify themselves in
leaving home and children.
Of course, there are some mothers who
must work out to support their children,
35
but let every working mother honestly
weigh the matter and be sure the Lord
approves before she rushes her babies
off to the nursery, her children off to
school, her husband off to work, and
herself off to her employment. Let her
be certain that she is not rationalizing
herself away from her children merely
to provide for them greater material
things. Let her analyze well before
she permits her precious ones to come
home to an empty house where their
plaintive cry, "Mother," finds no lov-
ing answer.
Do not these absentee mothers and
millions of approving fathers know that
basic attitudes towards standards, mor-
ality, the Church, and God are devel-
oped in the family circle and are quite
well set while they are still small
children?
It is said: "Give me a child until he
is seven and then do with him what
you These first years are so vital.
will."
The Lord said: "My sheep hear my
voice ." (John 10:27). So do the little
. .
ones respond to their own mothers. The
maid, the neighbor, the sister, the grand-
mother may clothe and feed and diaper
the child, but no one can take the place
of mother. This is impressed upon us
by the story of the six-year-old who got
lost from his mother in a large super-
market and began to call frantically,
"Martha, Martha."
When the mother was found and they
were reunited, she said: "Honey, you
should not call me Martha, I am
'Mother' to you."
To which the little fellow rejoined:
"Yes, I know, but the store was full of
mothers, and I wT anted mine."
Children need security, special love,
and to be wanted.
At a distant conference, my plane
brought me to the city many hours
early. The stake president met me at
the airport and took me to his home
and, having important work to do, ex-
cused himself and returned to his work.
With the freedom of the house, I spread
my papers on the kitchen table and be-
gan my work. His wife was upstairs
sewing. In mid-afternoon, there came
an abrupt entry from the front door,
and a little fellow came running in,
surprised to see me, but we became
36 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Uriday, October 4
friends. Then he ran through the
rooms calling, "Mother," and she an-
swered from upstairs, "What is it,
darling?" and his answer was, "Oh,
nothing." He went out to play.
A little later another voice came in
the front door calling, "Mother, Moth-
er." He put his schoolbooks on the
table and explored the house until the
reassuring answer came from
again, "Here I am, darling,"
second one was satisfied and said,
"OK" and went to play. Another half
hour and the door opened again and a
young teenager moved in, dropped her
books and called, "Mother." And the
answer from upstairs, "Yes, darling,"
seemed to satisfy, and the young girl
became acquainted with me, then began
practising her music lesson. None of
the three had gone upstairs.
Still another voice later called,
"Mother," as she unloaded her high
school books. And, again the sweet
answer, "I am up here sewing, darling,"
seemed to reassure her. We
acquainted, and tripped up the
she
stairs to tell her mother the happen-
ings of the day in a sweet mother-
daughter relationship. Home! Mother!
Security! Just to know Mother was
home. All was well.
A child is happy if he feels that he
is wanted and enjoyed by his parents.
He needs to feel that his parents will be
there, especially in a crisis.
This mother, too, could have had a
job. Her children also could use more
things her wages could provide. She
also could have rationalized that two
salaries could give her children more
advantages, more outings, travel, and
vacations, more clothes, gifts,and
uries. But, this mother knew well
a child needs a mother available more
than all the things which money
can buy.
The Parents Magazine says: "The
feeling of security is the core
dation for good mental health.
"Most of the married women over 35
in the labor force (says this authority)
are working not because their families
really 'need the money,' but in order
to maintain a higher standard of living,
get away from some housework, and
first Day
lead, as they suppose, a more interest-
ing and richer life."
A
prominent judge listed the causes of
juvenile delinquency:
and games such
First, destructive toys
as guns and other symbols of violence.
Second, working mothers; and third,
fathers who work two shifts, absenting
themselves from the home except to
upstairs eat and sleep.
and the His long list of causes ended with this:
Lack of religious training and discipline
in the home and schools, and lack of
love in the home. My reference is
Judge Jacob M. Braude of the Circuit
Court of Cook County (Chicago),
Illinois.
These lacks were inherent in the
parents, but it was the children who
suffered.
Twenty-four million women in the
United States work outside the home.
This is one-third of all in the total
labor force, and 80% of them have
living husbands.
became In 1890, only 5.5% of the wives under
35 and living with husbands were
working. By 1957, it was 27.7% and
now it is about a third of those wives
between 18 and 24.
In the labor force are about 2.5 mil-
lion women whose children are under
six, and 5.4 million with children under
twelve years of age. Think of it: a
possible twelve to fifteen million chil-
dren without a mother through crucial
hours! Of these about 400,000 children
under twelve years of age must care
for themselves entirely while their
mothers work. One-third of all mothers
with children under eighteen are in paid
employment. My statistics come from
the Children's Bureau of the US De-
lux-
partment of Health Education and Wel-
that
fare and other dependable sources. This
means that in this country, one child
in 13 under 12 must look out for him-
self. In the 10-11 year old group, the
ratio is one in five without care while
and foun- the mother is at work.
It is shocking! Nearly one-third of all
our young matrons, 18 to 24, arc break-
ing the law of God in not bearing chil-
dren, or if they are having children,
are they neglecting the helpless little
ones?
President McKay said, "The more
 —

ELDER SPENC l W. KIMBALL 37

woman becomes like man, the less he heritance. . .

." (Discourses of Brigham
will respect her.Civilization weakens as Young, p. 198.)
man's estimate of woman lessens." In this important city crime has in-
We are told that the average age creased three times faster than it did
when women cease bearing children is in the nation during 1962, said our
about 26; yet in these vital years, nearly local newspaper. And crime in the past
one of every three is working outside five years increased four times faster
her home. When such masses of than population, four serious crimes
mothers are employed out, what may per minute recorded on the crime clock.
we expect from the offspring? One authority gave us: "The more the
How nearly perfect can a mother be parents approve of each other, the more
who rushes in the morning to get the child will be welcome, the most —
everybody off and settled for the day, important single factor in the develop-
herself included, then returns weary ment of the child is the emotional
after a hard day of employment to a climate prevailing between his parents."
tired husband who has had a hard Are music and dancing lessons and
day and to children and youth with camps and clothes justified when it may
problems, and then to her homemaking, mean the sacrifice of the home and
cooking, cleaning, and then to a full mother on the altar of employment?
social calendar. From such homes come One girl said, "I really don't want
many conflicts, marital problems, and to go to the girls' camp. I'd rather stay
divorces, and delinquent children. Few home with Mother, but Mother is not
people in trouble ever ascribe their home to stay with." Are we glamorizing
marital conflicts to these first causes, out-of-home activities for our children
but blame each other for the problems when they should be home helping or
which were born and nurtured in off to work themselves?
strained environments. Certainly the Absenteeism of mothers is often linked
harmonious relationship of father and with idle youth delinquent youth. —
mother and the emotional climate When we read of the recent Labor Day
prevailing between parents give sound- escapades by tens of thousands of high
ness and security to children. school and college young people on their
President Belle S. Spafford speaking mass invasions of resort towns, we
to her world of Relief Society mothers wonder are they permitted
again: Why
said: leisure till they sick with bore- become
"Children should be cherished with dom? Home drab so they resort to
is
the strongest bonds of affection; ... No destructiveness and immorality.
effort should be too much, no sacrifice One fudge said: "These mad vacations
too great to protect them from evil and make their biggest appeal to youngsters
preserve them in righteousness. The . . . who have too little to do. . . . We
love and the sanctity of the home should never have any trouble with kids who
be zealously safeguarded. ." . . have real interests, real hobbies, a
And she speaks of mothers' obliga- radio ham, or a real athlete."
tions The idle generation! Hours each day
and nothing to do. Saturdays and
". . . to make all else in life sub-
nothing to do. Three long months of
servient to the well-being of our homes
school vacation and nothing to do. No
and families.
***** one has found a truer adage than: "The
idle brain is the devil's workshop."
"Always in the Church, people have Another judge states that "Too many
been admonished to marry in the House kids are loafing. Parents do not make
of the Lord, to establish homes, and children get jobs. And, this helps them
bear and rear children in righteousness." into trouble there is an alarming
. . .

Brigham Young says: lack of employment among our young

"It is the calling of the wife and people . . and idleness among those
.

mother (to tie) her offspring to

. . . who come before me. . .
."

herself with a love that is stronger He is not talking about the pallid,
than death for an everlasting in- spindly urchin, working twelve hours a
38 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4
day in coal mines but of the hulking
youth sitting around while his hard-
working, doting parents support him.
It is foolish to expect an energetic
exuberant youth to live normally when
he has his free time largely to himself
including three idle months of summer
vacation. I quote him further,
"As I see young people of what I
consider an employable age sitting
around drive-ins or malt shops, on park
benches, or at the beaches, cruising
around in cars or hanging around on
the street comers at all hours of the
day and the night, I am amazed at their
ability to stay out of trouble as well
as they do . idleness is a prime factor
. .
in most juvenile misbehavior. ." .
He continues: "I find the average
parent of the average employable but
unemployed youngster to be weak, over-
protective, and overindulgent. Both he
and his wife work to afford their child
the niceties of life which they now con-
sider necessities. All the comforts of
home plus a car and a gasoline credit
"
card
This judge says these parents are a
generation of well-intentioned ones
rearing a generation of sloths Judge
Robert Gardner of the Juvenile Court
of Santa Ana, California.
A woman who had not been able to
hold a job in spite of the fact that she
was well-trained and highly educated
explained: "Oh, it's not odd at all.
My parents never expected me to work,
and for that reason I never expected
to either." She seemed to feel un-
abashed, and that such was reason
enough.
The judge proceeds: "This type of par-
ent blindly accepts Junior's plaint: 'I
can't find a job.'
"Can't find a job! Well, Junior, I
have news for you! These are boom
times. Awhole generation of us grew
up during the depression when there
were no jobs, but we found jobs any-
way. Oh, they weren't good jobs, but
they were jobs. There were always
jobs —
mean, disagreeable, back-breaking
jobs. And many of these jobs didn't
pay very much and they were hard and
they were long hours and they were
not desirable."
Do youth look for work in the cotton
First Day
fields, in the beet fields, in the hay
fields, the jobs that are taken by itiner-
ant workers brought from Mexico and
other foreign lands?
Some judges give arrested youth a
choice to get a job within thirty days
or be locked up, and seldom have had
to lock up any. If the alternative is un-
pleasant enough, somehow Junior finds
employment.
To this philosophy, there are re-
joinders from many sources which cry
there are not enough jobs to go around
and that a job for a youngster means
a job lost to the head of a family. And
the answer of the judge to this is, "Get
women out of the factories and put
. them back into the home where they
belong . cooking, sewing, cleaning
. .
house and doing the traditional woman's
work. It would do both for them and
their neglected youngsters a world
of good."
If a few million of the working
mothers who need not work were to go
home to their families, there might be
employment for men now unemployed
and part and full-time work for youth
who ought to help in family finances
— and who need occupation for their
abundant energy.
How many children today contribute
toward the family living? Parents per-
mit the youth to idle away their time.
"Can't get a job," they say. Why,
bless your souls, the world is crying
for helpers. Have we spoiled our chil-
dren paying them for every effort? I
heard a fifteen-year-old complaining be-
cause he received only sixty cents
an hour.
"What can we do?" they cry, "Where
can we go?" Listen, youth, go home,
rollup your sleeves; pick cotton, hoe
the corn, thin the beets. Yes, before
and after school and Saturdays and va-
cation days! It won't hurt you to store
your ball and bat and hiking togs. Hang
the storm windows, paint the fence,
wash the car, pick the fruit, mow the
lawn, repair the screen, plant a garden,
cultivate flowers, trim the trees.
As we read of delinquency and crime,
2,000,000 serious crimes in this land in
a year, and as we note many are com-
mitted by girls and boys, we ask our-
selves what is the cause and what are
 ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL 39

the In an adequate survey it

cures? producers who every selfish
satisfy their
was learned that a majority of youth desire for social life, comforts, golf,
wish responsibility and will thrive on it. parties, travel, drinking at the expense
"What can we do?" they ask again. of their children?
Do the shopping,work in the hos- Do the families of these window
pital, help the neighbors and the church smashers kneel in prayer night and
custodian, wash dishes, vacuum the morning before these depredations? Do
floors, make the beds, get the meals, they have family evenings, family pic-
learn to sew. nics, vacations, and entertainment to-
Read good books, repair the furni- gether? Do these parents of such
ture,make something needed in the hoodlums exercise discipline in the
home, clean the house, press your home or are the children emancipated
clothes, rake the leaves, shovel the from restraint, from duties, and from
snow, peddle papers, do "baby sitting" controls?
free for neighbor mothers who must To slow down this ever-increasing
work, become an apprentice. rate of juvenile delinquency, there is a

J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI said, "Our growing cry: "We must have more de-
youthful delinquency is a problem tention homes and reformatories. We
which strikes practically every home in need more public money appropriated
America. It is something to which every for better facilities, more highly trained
parent should give the deepest con- specialists, social workers, psychologists
sideration and the said responsibility and psychiatrists. We need larger jails,
for youth law infraction today lies more more police."
on the doorstep of the adult than it Certainly, it must be apparent that
does on the youth. In the majority of all this is but an attempted control of a
instances the story of juvenile delin- malady of epidemic proportions. Have
quency is the story of shattered homes the experts failed? Isn't it time to come
where parents are neglectful, indifferent, back to fundamentals? "We need more
and fail to exercise the proper degree money," they say, but we have spent in
of discipline." the last decade $78 billion on ele-
One parent wrote to youth: "Your mentary and high schools for the
parents do not owe you entertainment; children, yet delinquency increases;
your villages do not owe you recreation $110 billion on cars; $127 billion for
facilities; the world does not owe you a recreation, and still immorality, hood-
living; you owe the world; you owe it lumism, sadism, and vandalism grow
your time, your energy, your talents, apace, and to make it worse, $180 bil-
yourself. In plain simple words, grow lion in cosmetics, tobacco, and alcohol.
up, get out of your dream world; de- No—money is not the answer! Surely
velop your backbone, a backbone not a we must realize that an ounce of pre-
wishbone, and start acting like a man vention is worth tons of cure.
or a lady. . ." . The Lord has indicated long ago the
Lawmakers in their over-eagerness to perfect pattern of prevention. He has
protect the child have legislated until organized the family in a home with
the pendulum has swung to the other unified pursuits. It takes no magician
extreme. But no law prohibits most nor social authority to know where the
work suggested above, and parents can error lies, and that the cure is preven-
make work. tion. With the home a sweet religious
President David O. McKay said: "We one with and love and
discipline
are living in an age of gadgetry which parental and sweet parent-child
bliss
threatens to produce a future genera- relationships, would be few, if
there
tion of softness. Flabbiness of character any, prodigals. Reformatories and cor-
more than flabbiness of muscle lies at rection institutions could close; social
the root of most of the problems facing agencies could lock their doors; jails
our American youth." would have few prisoners, and war be
Are these iconoclasts from normal outlawed.
homes with normal fathers and moth- All this could come by the building
ers? Or, are those parents income of the homes of the people into spiritual
40 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 4
fortresses. If fathers would give them-
selves to their families and mothers
come home from employment and high
society to conserve the smaller incomes
and to be real mothers, then the word
delinquency would cease to terrify us.
May we organize our homes, disci-
pline our children, and create nations
of homes such as our Heavenly Father
has planned, I pray in the name of
Jesus Christ. Amen.
President David O. McKay:
He to whom we have just listened
Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Coun-
cil of the Twelve.
In behalf of all who have listened to
the singing during the General Confer-
—
ence sessions today the General Au-
thorities, the audience here in the
Tabernacle, and the large radio and
—
television audience we express appre-
ciation and gratitude to these Singing
Mothers for the beautiful music, in-
spiring messages. With all my heart I
say, Sister Jepperson and mothers, God
bless you!
The Saturday morning session will be
broadcast direct by numerous radio and
television stations, and recorded for
transmission on Sunday morning at 10
o'clock, Eastern Daylight Time (9:00
Eastern Standard Time), to many tele-
vision stations in the eastern part of the
United States. Both sessions of our
Conference today, and Saturday and
Sunday, will be rebroadcast over KSL
Radio the following morning starting at
one o'clock and will be heard in many
parts of the United States and in the
SECOND DAY
MORNING MEETING
The Conference reconvened Saturday
morning, October 5, 1963 at 10:00 a.m.
The music for this session was fur-
nished by the Tabernacle Choir, with
Richard P. Condie conducting. Elder
Alexander Schreiner, Tabernacle Organ-
ist, was the accompanist.
President David O. McKay who pre-
sided and conducted the services, opened
First Day
world, including Canada, Mexico, Alas-
ka, and in the Islands of the Pacific.
A delayed television release will also
take the Saturday morning session of
Conference to viewers over three tele-
vision stations in Hawaii. A video tape
will be flown from the Mainland and
broadcast Sunday morning in Hawaii.
A special meeting under the direction
of the Genealogical Society will be
held in the Tabernacle this evening at
7:00 o'clock. Those requested to attend
are stake presidencies, bishoprics, stake
and ward genealogical workers; and
is
anyone else interested in genealogical
work is invited.
There will be a Welfare Agricultural
Meeting in the Assembly Hall tomorrow
morning at 7:30 o'clock. Stake presi-
dencies, bishoprics, agricultural repre-
sentatives from all stakes, and all others
interested in agriculture are invited to
attend this meeting.
The Relief Society Singing Mothers
will now favor us with, "The Lord Bless
Thee and Keep Thee," conducted by Dr.
Florence Jepperson Madsen.
After the benediction by Elder Israel
I. Bentley, formerly president of the
Northern Mexican Mission, the general
sessions of this Conference will be
adjourned until 10 o'clock Saturday
morning.
Singing by the Relief Society Singing
Mothers, "The Lord Bless Thee And
Keep Thee."
Elder Israel Bentley, formerly presi-
dent of the Northern Mexican Mission,
offered the benediction.
Conference adjourned until Saturday
morning, October 5th, at 10:00 a.m.
the meeting with the following intro-
ductory remarks:
President David O. McKay:
To all present this morning in the
Tabernacle, in the Assembly Hall, and
to the vast television and radio audience
we extend a hearty welcome to this, the
 —

ELDER RICHARD L. EVANS 41

Third Session of the 133rd Semi-Annua! President David O. McKay:

Conference of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Tabernacle Choir, under the di-
rection of Brother Richard P.
with Alexander Schreiner at
will open these services by
"God of our Fathers, Whose Almighty
Hand."
Following the singing the invocation
will be offered by Elder Merrill A. Nel-
son, president of the Kearns Stake.
The Tabernacle Choir sang the num-
ber, "God Of Our Fathers, Whose Al-
mighty Hand."
Elder Merrill A. Nelson, president of
the Kearns Stake, offered the opening
prayer.
The invocation was offered by Presi-
dent Merrill A. Nelson.
Condie, The Tabernacle Choir will now favor
the organ, us with, "Sing Unto God With Un-
singing, measured Praise." Following the singing
Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council
of Twelve will be our first speaker.
The Tabernacle Choir sang the selec-
tion, "Sing Unto God With Un-
measured Praise."
President David O. McKay:
Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council
of the Twelve will now speak to us.

ELDER RICHARD L. EVANS

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My beloved President, and my beloved
brethren and sisters:
For more than a third of a century
it has been my privilege to speak to
many of you many times through my
association with the Tabernacle Choir
and its remarkably long series of broad-
casts and through other organizations
and activities. But I feel a weighty
responsibility this morning in speaking
to youof some things that are close to
my heart and important to my life, and
which are vitally a part of the prin-
ciples and convictions of the Church to
which I have the honor to belong The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, sometimes inaccurately referred
to as the "Mormon" Church, whose head
and lawgiver our Lord and Savior,
is
Jesus the Christ, who with his Father
—
the Father of us all is the foundation
of our faith.
It is God the Father and his Son our
Savior whom we worship. This places
us on common ground with all sincere
worshiping Christians, through our be-
lief in the divinity of the Lord Jesus
Christ. It places us on common ground
with all other men also who
God the Father and Creator of us all,
inwhose image, as scripture testifies,
men are made.
Now since we have this literal rela-
tionship with our Father in heaven and
his Son, our Lord and Savior, the matter
of communication between God and
man, between a loving Father and his
children, becomes a matter of primary
importance — for life is a search for all
of us —a search for its purpose and
meaning —
a search for the answers to
questions, to problems —
answers that
will satisfy the yearnings of our hearts,
the reaching of our minds. These are
answers that can only come from a
divine source.
— This brings us to the question of
communication between God and man,
between a loving, all-knowing Father
and his searching, seeking children.
This communication includes prayer,
inspiration, impressions from the divine
source upon the mind of man, the find-
ings of truth through earnest seeking
and research, and also what is called
revelation, to which the ninth Article
of our Faith refers in these words: "We
believe all that God has revealed, all
that He does now reveal, and we be-
lieve that He will yet reveal many
believe in great and important things pertaining
to the Kingdom of God."
Who knows all the answers or any of
the ultimate answers? Since no one
42 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

does, they must come from continued Some have asked about our belief in
—
revelation from continued prayerful the Book of Mormon. The Book of
seeking and search. Mormon not a substitute for the
is
There has been among men some Bible. Weaccept the Bible and use
suggestion that the heavens are closed, the King James Version. But we do
that scripture is closed; that God re- not believe that the Lord God confined
vealed his mind and will to his prophets his communications to the people of
in the far past, but for some reason does ancient Palestine or to any place or
not do so today. period of the past. He has had prophets
Do we need his guidance less today in other places. The Book of Mormon,
than men once did? Do we have which supplements the Bible and is
fewer problems? Would a just and compatible with it, is an account of
loving Father love us less than he did the counsels and communications of
his children of the past? What kind God, as is the Bible, and contains sacred
and loving father would fail or refuse and secular history, given to and pre-
to respond to his children if they ap- served by the prophets of ancient Amer-
proached him with urgent need and ica, among whom were some of the
humble hearts? ancestors of the American Indians.
What gracious and all-wise Admin- God is no respecter of persons and
istrator of heaven and earth would ig- has not confined his communication to
nore the problems of the present or one part of his family, to one time of
leave his children to grope alone history, or to one land.
in life? Now not only does our Father in
The comforting answer to these ques- heaven communicate by revelation, by
tions is that the channels of com- inspiration, but he reveals truth also
munication are open; that our God and to earnest searching, seeking men in
Father is still interested in all our many fields of truth. Knowledge has
affairs; that he has his prophet on earth; been poured out upon the earth, the
that he gives to his children what in his evidences of which are too numerous to
wisdom they need and seek and are dwell upon.
prepared to accept. And not only does he reveal his will
"Surely the Lord God will do noth- to his servants the prophets and to sin-
ing, but he revealeth his secret unto his cere searching men, but he responds to
servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7.) —
a child's simplest prayer the simplest,
'Where there is no vision, the people sincere desire of the soul. He is mind-
perish." (Prov. 29:18.) ful of every one of us in all our needs,
This need for prophets and their vi- in all of our decisions, in all our uses
sion — lest the people perish — prompts us of life, in the thoughts of our inner-
to quote another Article of Faith: 'We most hearts, and our outermost actions.
believe in the same organization that And aside from revelation as such, there
existed in the Primitive Church (i.e. the is the impression within —the whisper-
Church founded by our Savior in the ings of the Spirit to the hearts and con-
Meridian of Time), viz., apostles,
sciences of men.
prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists,
And not only do we need communica-
etc." (Article 6.) Would not our
Savior's Church today be organized as
tion with our Father in heaven, but we
when he was on earth? need communication and understanding
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- with one another. So often we mis-
day Saints sustains in this conference judge men. We
misjudge motives; we
President David O. McKay, who has believe rumors, and not only believe
stood before us this morning in his them, but sometimes add to them and
ninety-first year, in his kindly wisdom pass them on. We
sometimes believe
and far-seeing perception; sustains him what gossip and prejudice says of others,

as a prophet of God in this latter day, rather than going to factual sources of
with the same divine commission that information. We often reach conclu-
was given to the prophets of the past. sions based on sheer assumptions. "O
 —

ELDER RICHARD L. EVANS 43

mortal men," said Dante, "be wary how "Not understood. We gather false im-
ye judge." pressions
Parents need better communication And hug them closer as the years go
with their children, and children with by,
parents. They need to counsel and re- Till virtues often seem to us trans-
spect each other and confide in each gressions;
other and share with each other the And thus men rise and fall and live
thoughts of their hearts. What more and die,
important charge could anyone have in Not understood.
life than to care for and nourish and
understand and teach and love a child "Not understood. Poor souls with
whom God has given? What greater stunted vision
loyalty can a child have than to con- Oft measure giants by their narrow
fide in a father and a mother with gauge.
respect and love, sharing hopes and
The poisoned shafts of falsehood and
dreams and plans and experiences. And derision
there is safety in this —
safety in doing
Are oft
mould the
impelled 'gainst those
age,
who
nothing that we would not be willing
and proud to confide to parents or to Not understood.
our Father in heaven, who in fact knows "Not understood. The secret springs of
all things whether or not we confide.
action,
There is safety in a mother and a Which lie beneath the surface and
father waiting for children to return the snow,
at whatever hour —
safety in these close Are disregarded; with self-satisfaction
confidences. We judge our neighbors as they often
Husbands and wives need to confide go,
and communicate with each other and Not understood.
not withdraw themselves within them-
selves, but to keep always open between "Not understood. How trifles often
them a gentle and frank and kindly change us.
communication. The thoughtless sentence or the fan-
Those who communicate some-
don't cied slight
times sit in brooding silence, and let Destroys long years of friendship, and
small things seem large, and imagine estranges us,
offenses that were never intended, and And on our souls there falls a freez-
misjudge minds and hearts and motives, ing blight:
and pull apart and sever the most sa- Not understood.
cred ties, and break hearts and homes.
There is so much of misunderstanding "Not understood. How
many breasts
that could be cleared with communica- are aching,
tion, with talking things out —
suspicions,
How
For lack of sympathy? Ah! day to day,
many cheerless, lonely hearts are
offenses, misjudging motives, much of
which would disappear with communi- breaking!
cation and the sincere sharing of How many noble spirits pass away,

confidences with those who have a right Not understood.

to expect us to confide. As a poet so "O God, that men would see a little
long ago expressed it clearer,
Or judge less harshly where they can-
"Not understood. We move along not see!
asunder, O God, that men would draw a little
Our paths grow wider as the seasons nearer
creep To one another! They'd be nearer
Along the years; we marvel and we Thee
wonder And understood."
Why life is life, and then we fall
—Thomas Bracken
asleep,
Not understood. I would leave my witness with you
44 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

that there is purpose in

that there
is a Father in heaven who made us in
his own image; that he did send his
Son, our Savior, to redeem us from
death; that God has revealed himself
to man through the prophets of the
latter days even as through the prophets
of the far past; that he is interested
in his children; that he responds to
prayer; that he gives the revelations of
his mind and will; that men are im-
mortal and eternal; and that there is
everlasting purpose and reason for the
righteous living of life, for keeping his
commandments, for cherishing, serv-
ing, and loving one another.
We
would share with you these words
from King Benjamin from the Book of
Mormon:
life, guidance, inspiration, and a finding of
the way to the purposeful, happy living
of life with the peace and cleanliness
of a quiet conscience, and with the
blessed assurance of an everlasting life
with limitless opportunities, and with
our loved ones with us.
May God be with you, my beloved
friends, and give you every needed
blessing in life, and your loved ones,
in peace and health and happiness, in
prayerful searching and seeking, in pur-
suit of the divine purpose, with the as-
surance that the answers are there. May
you have help in your daily pursuits,
and in your homes, and in all relation-
ships with your loved ones, and with
wise and good choices in all the living
of life.

"Believe in God; believe that he is, God does live He is real and
I

and that he created all things, both reachable and not indefinable. He is
in heaven and in earth; believe that he mindful of us. He hears us. He is in-
has all wisdom, and all power, both terested in us. He is ever ready to
in heaven and in earth; believe that communicate with us. He is our Father
man doth not comprehend all the and made us in his own image, and as
things which the Lord can comprehend. we seek him he will not leave us grop-
"And again, believe that ye must ing and lonely and alone. His word,
repent of your sins and forsake them, his Church, his purposes are here and
and humble yourselves before God; and now on earth. The Creator is still in
ask in sincerity of heart that he would command. May God bless you and
forgive you; and now, if you believe —
peace be with you always, I pray in
all these things see that ye do them. . . . the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"And ye will not your children
suffer Amen.
. . .that they transgress the laws of God,
and fight and quarrel one with an- President David O. McKay:
other, and serve the devil, who is the He to whom you have just listened
master of sin, . . .
is Elder Richard L. Evans of the Coun-
"But ye will teach them to walk in cil of the Twelve.
the ways of truth and soberness; ye will Following a brief Tabernacle Organ
teach them to love one another, and to interlude, the Tabernacle Choir will
serve one another. sing, "Hosanna, Christ Has Risen," with
"... I say unto you, that there shall Albert Fallows as soloist.
be no other name given nor any other
way nor means whereby salvation can Selection by the Choir, "Hosanna,
come unto the children of men, only Christ Has Risen," (Albert Fallows,
in and through the name of Christ, the soloist).

Lord Omnipotent.
President David O. McKay:
". O remember, remember that
. .

these things are true; for the Lord God Wewelcome all those who have just
hath spoken it." (Mosiah 4:9-10, 14-15; joined us by radio and television in the
133rd Semi-Annual Conference of The
3:17; 2:41.)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
The answers men so much seek arc to Saints, convened in the Tabernacle on
be found, and to the aching, yearning Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
loneliness of human hearts, and to the We shall now hear from Bishop John
anguished agony of the world there can H. Vandenberg, Presiding Bishop to the
come direction, revelation, comfort, Church.

BISHOP JOHN H. VANDENBERG
Presiding Bishop of the
The Bible states that our Savior Jesus
Christ ". gave himself for us, that
. .
he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar peo-
ple, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:14.)
The members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints are known
throughout the world as a peculiar
people.
We are considered a peculiar people
because of our Word of Wisdom the
great youth program, the welfare pro-
gram, the priesthood, and because of
—
our belief in God that he is a personal
God and is the same yesterday, today,
and forever, and that he speaks to his
prophets today as he did anciently.
are peculiar because we not only claim
but furnish evidence to all people that
the gospel of Jesus Christ has been re-
stored to the earth in these latter days.
We believe that the same organization
that existed in the primitive church of
apostles, prophets, bishops, teachers,
elders, and seventies, has been restored
by direct revelation. It is the duty of
those called as apostles ". to ordain
and set in order all the other officers of
the church, ." (D&C 107:58.)
. .
"The Twelve are a Traveling Presid-
ing High Council, to officiate in the
name of the Lord, under the direction
of the Presidency of the Church,
to build up the Church, and regulate
all the affairs of the same in all na-
tions, . .
." (Ibid., 107:33.)
travel throughout the world and under
the influence of the Spirit ordain bishops
to be "stewards of God."
In connection with the duties of the
apostles, I would like to relate an
apocryphal story from the writings of
Clement of Alexandria:
". . about John the Apostle, handed
. witness of the Church over which thou
down and preserved in memory. When,
on the death of the tyrant, he (John)
passed over to Ephesus from the Island
of Patmos, he used to make missionary
journeys also to neighboring gentile
cities, some places to appoint bishops,
in
and in some to set in order whole
churches and ... to appoint one of
45
Church
those indicated by the Spirit. On his
arrival then at one of the cities at no
great distance, of which some even
mention the name, ... he saw a youth
of stalwart frame and winning counte-
nance, and impetuous spirit, and said to
the bishop, 'I entrust to thee this youth
with all earnestness, calling Christ and
the Church to witness.' The bishop ac-
cepted the trust, and made all the requi-
— site promises, and the apostle renewed
his injunction and adjuration. He then
returned to Ephesus, and the elder tak-
ing home with him the youth who had
been entrusted to his care, maintained,
cherished, and finally baptized him.
We After this he abandoned further care
and protection of him, considering that
he had affixed to him the seal of the
Lord as a perfect amulet against evil.
Thus prematurely neglected, the youth
was corrupted by certain idle companions
of his own age, who were familiar with
evil, and who first led him astray by
many costly banquets, and then took
him out by night with them to share
. .
in their felonious proceedings, finally
demanding his cooperation in some
worse crime. First familiarized with
guilt, and then, from the force of his
character, starting aside from the straight
path like some mighty steed that seizes
. . . the bit between its teeth; he rushed to-
wards headlong ruin, and utterly aban-
doning the divine salvation, gathered
The Twelve his worst comrades around him, and
became a most violent, bloodstained,
and reckless bandit-chief. Not long
afterwards John was recalled to the
city, and after putting other things in
order said, 'Come now, O bishop, restore
to me the deposit which I and the
Saviour entrusted to thee, with the
dost preside.' At first the bishop in his
alarm mistook the meaning of the meta-
phor, but the apostle said, 'I demand
back the young man and the soul of the
brother.' Then
groaning from the depth
of his heartand shedding tears, 'He is
dead,' said the bishop. 'How and by
what death?' 'He is dead to God! For
46
Saturday, October 5
he has turned out wicked and desper-
ate, and, to sum up all, a brigand; and
now, instead of the Church he has
seized the mountain, with followers like
himself.' Then the apostle, rending his
robe and beating his head, with loud
wailing said, 'A fine guardian of our
brother's soul did I leave! Give me a
horse and a guide.' Instantly, ... he
rode away from the Church and
. . . and
arriving at the brigands' outposts, was
captured without flight or resistance,
but crying, 'For this I have come. Lead
me to your chief.' The chief awaited
him in his armour, but when he recog-
nized John as he approached, he was
struck with shame and turned to fly
[flight]. But John pursued him as fast
as he could, forgetful of his age, crying
out, 'Why my son, dost thou fly [flee]
from thine own father, unarmed, aged
as he is? Pity me, fear not
stay! believe! Christ sent me.' But he
on hearing these words first stood with
downcast gaze, then flung away his
arms, then trembling, began to weep
bitterly, and embraced the old man
when he came up to him, pleading with
his groans, . . . but the apostle pledging
himself ... ledhim back to the Church
and praying for him and wrestling
with him in earnest fastings did not
depart, as they say,
to the bosom the Church." (St.of
Clement of Alexandria, Quis Divinitus
Salv., chapter 42.)
In Zion today are apostles like John
who have been divinely called to min-
ister the affairs of the kingdom of God
in all the world. The Lord has through
this apostolic ministry appointed bishops
in all stakes of Zion. The charge, "I
entrust to thee this youth," which John
gave to the bishop is one of the fore-
most responsibilities of the office and
calling of a bishop to care for the
youth. Peculiar to this Church is the
authority by which it acts, the priesthood
of God. This priesthood or authority
to act in the name of God was restored
to the earth by direct revelation.
higher priesthood is known as the Mel-
chizedek Priesthood and ". . continueth
in thechurch of God in all generations,
and is without beginning of days or
end of years." (D&C 84:17.) Along
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Second Day
with the Melchizedek Priesthood, ". . .
the Lord confirmed a priesthood also
upon Aaron and his seed, throughout
all their generations, which priesthood
also continueth and abideth forever
with the priesthood which is after the
holiest order of God." {Ibid., 84:18.)
Thus there are two divisions of the
priesthood, "namely, the Melchizedek
Aaronic, including the Levitical."
{Ibid., 107:1.)
An unusual promise is given in con-
nection with the priesthood. The Lord
said: "For whoso is faithful unto the
obtaining these two priesthoods (or
divisions) of which I have spoken, and
the magnifying their calling, are sancti-
fied by the spirit unto the renewing of
their bodies.
"They become the sons of Moses and
of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and
. . . . . . the Church and kingdom, and the
elect of God." {Ibid., 84:33-34.) It is
therefore incumbent upon every eligible
male member of the Church to live
worthy to receive the priesthood.
The Lord in his great wisdom has
placed the priesthood under two divi-
sions, as indicated, the Melchizedek and
the Aaronic.Perfection, however, does
. . . not come through the Aaronic Priest-
. . . hood because this priesthood ". . .
till he restored him holdeth the key of the ministering of
angels and the preparatory gospel";
{Ibid., 84:26) and is a schooling min-
istry to prepare the holders thereof for
the greater or Melchizedek Priesthood.
The Lord offers the male youth of the
Church, twelve years and older who
are worthy and eligible, the great privi-
lege of officiating in his work by being
ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.
Here they learn the governing princi-
ples of the kingdom of God. Through
voluntary service in the outward ordi-
— nances of the Church, they gain a
spiritual stability that can come to
them in no other way.
It is the Lord's desire that all should
come unto him. "For behold, this is
The —
my work and my glory to bring to
pass the immortality and eternal life
. of man." (Moses 1:39.) There is only
one way, as the Bible states, "One Lord,
one faith, one baptism." (Eph. 4:5.)
The Lord knows the dangers that
 BISHOP JOHN H. VANDENBERG 47

can beset youth without
—
guide just like the youth
rescued who had been neglected!
Worthy young men in the Church have
the Aaronic Priesthood conferred upon
them. Thus each has the advantage
of spiritual growth as he is presided
over by a bishop. The bishop is, by
revelation, president of the Aaronic
Priesthood and president of the priests
quorum. Thus the bishop of a ward is
the spiritual guardian of the youth.
He does not, however, replace the par-
ents in their responsibility to teach,
guide, persuade, and discipline their
own children. It is the responsibility
of parents to develop within their chil-
dren certain spiritual values such as
humility, repentance, a feeling of re-
sponsibility, and love for their fellow
men. The example of parents, un-
doubtedly, imposes the greatest influ-
ence upon their children. This influence
must be for good if parents are to be
successful.
The most recent statistics from the
FBI indicate an increase in crime as
reported in 1962. Approximately fifty
percent of all major crimes are com-
mitted by young people under the age
of eighteen. The school drop-out prob-
lem seems acute and more prevalent
today. Dr. William Hutchinson says:
"For the most part school drop-outs were
first church drop-outs. He is a drop-out
from his family, . drop-out from so-
. .
ciety. ... I recognize, that the
. .
most important single force in our so-
ciety is the family. I would first sug-
gest that we prepare our young people
to be good parents. Too many of those
that I see are weak, immature parents.
After dealing with many teen-agers, I
have received the impression that
adolescent youth is not looking ahead
to parenthood. Teen-agers too often
think of their father and mother as
'poor Dad' and 'poor Mom' in a con-
descending way. Their thinking is not
oriented ahead with proud anticipation
of stepping into the role of a family
leader.
"Among parents I see a great
looking back with nostalgia to their
youth and trying to relive the 'glorious
teens' vicariously through their children.
a spiritual "The family used to be bound to-
that John gether by economic glue. Historically,
the family worked together as a team
on the hunt or in the field. It was an
essential to existence itself that there be
discipline and leadership within the
family."
I would also like to read a letter
written by a father to his son. The
son had been confined in a youth de-
tention home. The father upon learn-
ing about his son's confinement went
immediately to the detention facilities.
Upon seeing his son, the father com-
menced shouting indignantly, inform-
ing his son that he was no good, a
disgrace. The boy reacted by forcing
shut the door. As the father returned
home, he was unable to sleep. He spent
the night pondering over the circum-
stances causing the failure of his son.
As a result, he wrote this letter:
"Dear Son, Maybe you won't under-
stand all this. It certainly isn't clear
to me yet. All I know is that when you
sent me away yesterday I was glad. I
thought I was finally rid of a big prob-
lem. I was wrong. Son, I have been
wrong about you for a long time. I
decided to forget you, but I couldn't.
The more I tried, the more I thought
about you. I prayed for help, but it
seemed to do no good. In fact, my
thoughts only became more centered
around you, like a snowball rolling
down hill.
. "I don't blame you Son
sending for
me away. You weren't sending away
your dad, only a guy who was always
mad at you. When I overcame my
drinking problem, I went to all those
I had hurt and asked their forgiveness.
I never thought to go to you. I should
have. I know now that you were one
of those I had hurt the most.
"When you needed another chance,
I never really gave it to you. Just sat
around knowing you would fail and
waiting for it to happen. Now I'm ask-
ing you for another chance. Not with
me setting the terms. Just for the
chance to work with you to try to
many overcome the wrongs done. Hope-
fully, Dad."
This letter would never have been
written if the father had been the spirit-
48 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saiurday, October 5 Second Day

ual influence in his home that God in- love of Christ in the souls of the
tended him to be. The boy would youth. His labors inspire hope, and
never have harbored contempt for his his kindness builds faith. This is to-
father if their home had been spiritually day's spiritual challenge to establish
strong. One might assume that the faith, hope, and the pure love of Christ,
statistics of broken homes and shattered which is charity, (see Moroni 7:47)
dreams would be compel
sufficient to into the hearts of the young people.
all people to correct the illusion that Paul declares that these three abideth
they are self-sufficient and have no need (see 1 Cor. 13:13) though the image
of God. and fashion of the world pass away.
Thomas J. Cahill, chief of the San It is the precious youth of the Church
Francisco Police Department, makes who must accept this challenge. It is
the following observation: "... I say the bishop, as overseer in the household
to you that the home is a place where of God, who holds the torch of leader-
the child must be taught from the ship. The bishop is indeed a true and
cradle. Love, understanding, and kind- good shepherd.
ness is something that is built into his It is in the early period of life that
heart or her heart as they grow, and youth needs to be cared for, maintained,
it must be done by both the father and and cherished. This is the formative
the mother carrying out their responsi- period of life. Mr. Vaughn in 1783
bilities; because when God gives them wrote to Benjamin Franklin, "Influence
children or gives us children, he also upon the private character late in life
places upon our shoulders correspond- is not only influence late in life but
ing responsibilities and obligations to a weak influence.
see to it that those children are brought "It is in youth that we plant our
up in the proper way. ." . . chief habits and prejudices; it is in
I must add that the only proper way youth that we take our party, as to
is God's way. Spiritual discipline is profession, pursuits and matrimony. In
the most effective means of character youth, therefore, the turn is given, in
development. The influence of the youth the education even of the next
priesthood in the home has the greatest generation is given, in youth the pri-
influence for guiding and persuading vate and public character is determined,
young people along the path of right- and the term of life extending but
eousness. One of the fundamental from youth to age, life ought to begin
teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ well from youth, and more especially
of Latter-day Saints is that every mem- before we take our party to our prin-
ber should acquire learning by study, cipal objects."
by faith, by prayer and by seeking No young man can receive the
learning wherever it is found. be- We priesthood and participate therein with-
lieve that, "Theglory of God is intelli- out becoming a better person. The
gence, . .
." (D&C 93:36.) "And if a priesthood is character building. It

person gains more knowledge
intelligence in this life through his
diligence and obedience than another,
he will have so much the advantage in
the world to come." (Ibid., 130:19.)
This would suggest that spiritual guid-
ance in the home gives the youth not
only an advantage in this life but
also in the eternity. In addition
influence in the home, the bishop gives
them guidance in the government of the
kingdom and in the priesthood of God.
In this respect, he is in metaphor,
potter and sculptor of the youth.
The ward bishop cultivates the pure
and teaches one to have proper concepts
and values. As one magnifies his duties
in the priesthood, he experiences the
challenge and growth that emanate
from eternal principles. This challenge
prompted the inspired words of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, "That the rights
of the priesthood are inseparably con-
to the nected with the powers of heaven, and
that the powers of heaven cannot be
controlled nor handled only upon the
principles of righteousness." (D&C
a 121:36.)
In the business affairs of life, it is
the application of advantages that con-
 ELDER ALVIN R. DYER 49

tributes to success. If one has the ad- Following a brief organ interlude the
vantage of added training in a certain Tabernacle Choir and the congregation
field or the advantage of more economi- will sing, "Come, Come, Ye Saints,"
cal production of a product, he usually with Richard P. Condie conducting and
becomes more successful in his busi- Dr. Alexander Schreiner at the organ.
ness effort. So it is with the youth.
The priesthood of God gives them an The Choir and congregation joined in
advantage for success and happiness and singing the hymn, "Come, Come, Ye
eternal life. Saints."
Here we have reason for Peter's
declaration: ". ye are a chosen gen-
. . President David O. McKay:
eration, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should When the Saints first sang, "Come,
shew forth the praises of him who hath Come, Ye who spoke from
Saints," those
called you out of darkness into his this pulpitspoke only to those who
marvellous light." (1 Pet. 2:9.) In the were sitting in the audience in the
name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Tabernacle. As apparent to all this
program has been given to the millions
President David O. McKay: outside, as well as to you here in the
Tabernacle.
Bishop John H. Vandenberg of the We shall now hear from Elder Alvin
Presiding Bishopric has just spoken to us. R. Dyer, Assistant to the Twelve.

ELDER ALVIN R. DYER

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

It always a great spiritual uplift to

is
attend the conference of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
I am grateful with you, my brethren
and sisters, once again to have this
privilege.
President McKay's great message yes-
terday,which went straight to the heart
of the individual, gives encouragement
to the remarks that I thought to make
about honesty. The great need of the
world is for spiritual quality in men,
for depth and altitude of soul, for
wealth of inward life, out of which
good deeds shall come like a stream
from the mountains, with power. But
this nobility of character is not arrived
at in a day. Its source lies far back
in the days of youth, in the practices
of restraint and the acquisition of hon-
estthoughts and good habits.
Webelieve in being honest!
Through the efforts of the American
Bar Association and Presidential Procla-
mation, we now have a new day in
America. It comes every first of May
and is referred to as "Law Day." Efforts
are being made to popularize this day
by many national organizations of
which the following are but a few:
The American Heritage Foundation,
The United States Conference of
Mayors, and The General Federation.
The need for such a day to be brought
to the attention of America stems from
the apparent complacency with regard
to the rule of law, devotion to morality,
and moral honesty.
In recent weeks, as reported in our
newspapers, J. Edgar Hoover, the direc-
tor of the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
tion, based upon statistics compiled by
this bureau, stated among other things
"that since 1950 the crime rate in Amer-
ica has increased four times as fast as
our population. For every dollar our
churches cost us, our crime is costing
us 12 dollars. Bank robberies and fraud
have increased with leaps and bounds."
In viewing this appalling situation there
are those who say, "Such crimes are
committed by the professional criminal,
and we will always have them." But,
truly, are such deviations into crime
and dishonesty expanding only in the
so-called ranks of the professional
criminal?
In an article appearing in the Reader's
 —

50 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

Digest not long ago, we learn of the Supermarkets are especially vulner-
reported inroads of dishonesty made able to the "amateur" thieves, eighty
into the ranks of the average person. percent of whom are women. One ex-
A fisherman or a hunter is generally ample, 500,000 supermarket shopping
regarded as a "sportsman" with a sense carts disappeared last year, at an
of fairness and of playing the game average cost of $30.00 each, this comes to
according to the rules; yet in one month $15,000,000.00. One expert estimates
in one of our states, 350 "sportsmen" that fifteen percent of your food bill
were fined for violation of the game goes to cover what customers and em-
laws. An officer reported that there ployees take, salving their conscience
would have been many more had there with the thought that big companies can
been sufficient wardens to check the afford it. The question is: Can you af-
infractions. ford it?
Access to the daily press releases of It is estimated that supermarket em-
the Federal Trade Commission reveals ployees steal the equivalent of $300,000.00
the mendacity of our sellers of goods every day. Across the country, employee
lies about origins, lies about qualities, thefts of money and merchandise are
lies about reduced prices! estimated to total two billion dollars
Recently, a New York newspaper a year. Three years ago this was esti-
printed many columns about unscrupu- mated at one billion. Such pilferage
lous persons on relief who had dishon- has destroyed many companies. An
estly requested and received more money organization has been formed in New
than the law permits. York City not to investigate criminal
The revealed facts of employee and rings, but to suggest methods to big
customer dishonesty are most startling. businessconcerns on how to control
Chiseling a big impersonal company is employee dishonesty. Much of this is
not stealing at all, say some. A report in such innocent quantities that it hardly
of this was made in Look Magazine appears evil at all. Secretaries go home
published the last week of September. with pencils and carbon paper. Em-
A reputable citizen recently told proudly ployees use the telephone for personal
of returning a five dollar bill to a drug- calls that add up to big money. One
store clerk who had given him too much executive in a big company said, "If you
change; but when he completed a long asked a girl to put down a dime for a
distance call from a pay booth and the phone call, she would think you were
operator returned his five quarters by crazy."
mistake, he kept the money without The fact that moral dishonesty has
any qualms. "The phone company is settled like an evil blanket upon the
so big they won't miss it," he said. peoples of all lands is told in an in-
The New Jersey Bell Telephone Com- teresting storyby Russell Kirk reporting
pany not long ago made a big fuss over in the National Review, having written
a ten-year-old girl who had returned the story from a country house in Fife,
several dollars which she had found Scotland. "Once upon a time," he
in the return slot of a public telephone. wrote, "a strict Calvinism, whatever its
The company tried upon this occasion defects, did install a high degree of
to impress the fact by having her pic- honesty in the typical Scot. But this
ture placed in the paper that when a week, at the raspberry picking here, the
person faces a machine with a moral gardener remarked to me, that of the
question, his answer should be the same thirty or forty people who came to pick
as when he faces a human being. on shares, probably everyone would
During the first ten months at New steal a basket or two of berries if he
York's new Americana Hotel, the well- saw the chance."
meaning average guests stole among These examples moral dishonesty
of
other things 38,000 demitasse spoons, are not those of the hardened criminal,
18,000 towels, 355 silver coffee pots, but rather the average everyday citizen
1,500 silver finger bowls, and, believe we see go to and from work on the
it or not, 100 Bibles. streets of our cities. Civilizations may
 ELDER ALVIN R. DYER 51

not because of cheating raspberry

fall
pickers or dishonest supermarket em-
ployees, yet great states do come to an
end of their tether when religious sanc-
tions no longer govern the soul of the
average citizen.
Well might we ask ourselves this
question at this crucial time, "What is
it that produces moral and physical
dishonesty in the lives of people?" The
facts that have been reported here refer
to overt acts of moral dishonesty, in a
supposedly noncriminal cross section of
the people. Can we possibly believe
that any act of such dishonesty is born
as of that minute when the act is com-
mitted? This cannot be true, for it
the Apostle James has said, "A double
minded man is unstable in all his
ways." (James 1:8.) Following this
declaration with another: "But be ye
doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves."
(Ibid., 1:22.)
An insincere person lives a strenuous
life, says Anne Lindbergh. There must
ever be restraints against "putting on"
or assuming a superficial front to sway
an impression or a credit in our direc-
tion. That leader or teacher who is
not honest in heart lacks sincerity. Such
a one does not live by what he teaches.
The very word itself when traced to
its origin means to be honest in our

goes back even to childhood where little relations with others; a negative message
traits of dishonesty go undetected. I will ever emit from an insincere and
once heard a father jokingly tell of morally dishonest person. From my
how his little son was always able to own experience in serving with thou-
find loose change around the house. sands of missionaries, I have come to
Perhaps the urge to take something that know that sincerity is the most neces-
does not belong to an employee can be sary of all qualifications. Without it
traced back to the lack of respect which a missionary can't hope to succeed.
adolescents have for the property of The Prophet Joseph Smith, while be-
others, even members of their own ing held without cause in Liberty Jail,
families. was inspired to say concerning those
That child or adult who is unac- whose of purpose had led
insincerity
countable for his actions, disregarding to dishonest membership:
repentance and restitution, weaves into "How much more dignified and noble
his character the trait of dishonor. Here are the thoughts of God than the vain,
we see the need of righteousness and (insincere) imaginations of the human
kind discipline in the home. heart! None but fools will trifle with
The lack of realism on the part of the souls of men." 3, 295.) (DHC
parents in failing to detect and correct The
Apostle Paul urged the Ephesians
innocent acts of dishonesty in their to serveGod with sincerity of purpose
children can lead to disaster later. The and honest intent. Said he:
passing over of small amounts of money ". . . Be obedient, . . . with fear and
taken by children, the failure to correct trembling, in singleness of your heart,
stories told by children which are com- as unto Christ;
pletely false, can lead to acts of a graver "Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers;
nature later. There are many ways in but as the servants of Christ, doing the
which the unsuspected seeds of moral will of God from the heart;
dishonesty are planted and which will "With good will doing service, as to
blossom forth in due time. the Lord, and not to men:
Generally speaking, moral dishonesty "Put on the whole armour of God,
tends towards insincerity and hypocrisy. that ye may be able to stand against the
These three are evil companions and wiles of the devil.
can destroy the majesty of the will, ". . . in the evil day, and having done
nullifying the power of agency. Nothing all, To stand." (Eph. 6:5-7, 11, 13.
displeases the Master more than hypoc- Italicsadded.)
risy. His frequent denunciations of the Someone has written a paraphrasing
Pharisees because of this trait are a of this of those who take much from
matter of biblical record. Of those life but give little:

who are not what they profess to be, "He stands having his loins girt about
52 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

with religiosity and having on the "We say that God is true; that the
breastplate of respectability. His feet Constitution of the United States is true;
are shod with ostentatious philanthropy, that the Bible is true; that the Book of
his head is encased in the helmet of Mormon is true; . that Christ is
. .

spread-eagle patriotism. Holding in his true; that the ministering angels sent
left hand the buckler of worldly power forth from God are true, and that we
and in his right hand the sword of in- know that we have an house not made
fluence, and thus shall he stand in the with hands, eternal in the heavens,
evil day." whose builder and maker is God; . .
."

In conclusion, I quote the thirteenth (DHC 3, 304.)

Article of Faith of our Church: I testify of this in the name of Jesus
"We believe in being honest, true Christ. Amen.
chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in do-
ing good to all men; indeed, we may President David O. McKay:
say that we follow the admonition of
Paul —We believe all things, we hope He to whom we
have just listened is
all things, we have endured many Elder Alvin R. Dyer, Assistant to the
things, and hope to endure all things. Twelve.
If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or The Tabernacle Choir will now sing,
of good report or praiseworthy, we seek "How Beautiful Upon the Mountains
after these things." (Italics added.) Are the Feet of Him That Bringeth
I have spoken of but one phase of this Good Tidings." After the singing there
article: will be a two minute organ interlude.
"We believe in being honestl"
I bear testimony to the need of this The Tabernacle Choir sang the num-
attribute in our daily lives that we may ber, "How Beautiful Upon The Moun-
not be deceived by the force of evil in tains Are The Feet Of Him That
hidden and unsuspecting ways. I bear Bringeth Good Tidings."
testimony also of the vitality and truth
of the message of the restoration of the President David O. McKay:
gospel of Jesus Christ, which we have
for the world. In the words of Joseph Elder Alma Sonne will be our con-
Smith the Prophet: cluding speaker.

ELDER ALMA SONNE

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brethren and sisters, we have just
listened to a stirring message sung by
the Choir. "How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of him who
bringeth good tidings."
As I stand here, I feel that mankind
today needs to be reassured. Atheism is
asserting itself as never before. It is
being organized to destroy religion, to
dethrone God, and to undermine the
standards by which progress in the past
has been made. The leaders in all
activities of life need much strength,
much love, much endurance, and an un-
bounded courage, and certainly greater
faith in God.
As a Church we accept without reser-
vation the divine leadership of Jesus
Christ the Lord. Faith in him is the
foundation of righteous living. He is
the cornerstone of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. To dis-
regard and to ignore him is to extinguish
the brightest light in human history.
A
few weeks ago I attended a fast day
servicein a beautiful ward chapel.
I was deeply impressed as I watched
and listened to the proceedings. A
youthful bishop presided. He made a
few preliminary remarks, and the con-
gregation sang a well-known hymn. The
prayer that followed was short and to
the point. Another hymn was sung,
and the bishop arose and told the
congregation it was their meeting. He
urged the members present to bear their
 ELDER ALMA SONNE 53

testimonies and
briefly to express their of faith. But most of his followers re*
feelings regarding their faith and to mained cynical and doubtful, and when
acknowledge their blessings. There the crucial and testing moment arrived,
were no prolonged sermons. The they were not there. Without faith
speakers, men and women, manifested man is forever in the shadows of doubt
the usual fear and timidity, but all in and uncertainty. He has no future. He
all each one had a message, a message has no program to follow, and when
that came from the heart, and what death comes he leaps into the dark and
comes from the heart goes to the heart. there is no inclination in his heart to
The words spoken were tinctured with turn to God and worship.
deep conviction. In each case it was was the greatest advocate of
Jesus
a declaration of a positive faith. They faith the world has known. Fie not
told about their prayers being answered only taught it but he exemplified it in
and the manifestations of God's power his entire ministry. For many years
in their homes. Some talked about I have read books on the life and
material blessings which had come character of Jesus the Christ. Most of
through the payment of tithing. Others them have been very interesting and
testified as to the divinity of God's well-written. The older I get, however,
work which had been established in this the more joy and satisfaction I receive
Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. from the four Gospels written by Mat-
Some spoke of the divinity of Jesus thew, Mark, Luke, and John. These
Christ, and others about the prophetic four narratives are a challenge to the
calling of Joseph Smith. The closing world. They are a work of art. They
hymn was sung with considerable feel- are a strong and irrefutable testimony
ing. A fervent benediction was offered, of the divinity of the Lord Jesus. What-
and the meeting dismissed, but the ever is said and done, and whatever is
worshipers stood there in groups as if written about him, the fact remains
reluctant to go. I know the good spirit that these writers of his life have pic-
was present in that gathering. It was tured for us the greatest figure in uni-
the spirit of true worship. All were versal history. They did not invent
touched and everyone was strengthened him. No one would be capable of
and uplifted for the days and weeks doing that, for he was perfect and be-
ahead. yond the creation of man. They re-
What is man without an abiding corded what they saw and heard and
faith in the true and living God? found nothing to criticize. They ac-
Colonel Ingersoll answered that question cepted him, worshiped him, and some
many years ago. "Man," he said, "is a of them died for him. Their testi-
stranger wandering hither and thither mony is therefore strong, reliable,
in a narrow vale between the barren and trustworthy.
peaks of two eternities," coming and Religious teachers talk about theology,
going without guide, compass, or des- their doctrines of salvation —
the resur-
tination to guide him on his way. rection, the virgin birth, and many other
But let me say, my brethren and things. But without the personal Christ
sisters, those peaks about which Inger- as he appeared among men, their teach-
soll spoke are not barren, for a man of ings would be meaningless and without
faith sees beyond the peaks, and he purpose, and the urge to worship the
sees a primeval existence. He also sees Almighty would be lost. He is the
a land where there are no shadows and voice of authority, the fountain of all
where there will be a glorious reunion grace and truth and the mirror of all
with loved ones who have gone on perfection for you and me to follow. He
before. Earth life is not the beginning made that clear when he said, "I am the
of man, and death is not the end. For way, the truth, and the life: ." . .

three years Jesus walked along the (John 14:6.) I believe that deep in the
shores of the Sea of Galilee, through the heart of humanity is a desire to believe
towns, villages, and cities of Palestine, in the divinity of Jesus Christ, for he
teaching and demonstrating the power gives humanity something to hope for,
54 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

something to live for, and something for regardless of man's rebellion every
to strive for. knee shall bow and every tongue con-
Jesus lived with the poor. He ap- fess that Jesus is the Christ. In a world
peared as one of them. He cast his of uncertainty, confusion, and chaos
lot with the lowly and dejected classes mankind must turn to him. It

of society. You will recall when John is inevitable.

the Baptist sent his disciples to be And so we worship
the Lord and
reassured, Jesus said, "Tell John the Master. We
meet together often to
poor have the gospel preached to them." keep alive our faith and to worship
(See Luke 7:22.) Can you think of any him in spirit and in truth. Emerson
leader aspiring to greatness and recog- said, "And what greater calamity can
nition who ever thought of beginning fall upon a nation than the loss of
with the poor? Please remember that worship. Then all things go to decay.
the higher circles were open to him, Genius leaves the temple to haunt the
but he never deserted the meek and senate or the Literature be-
market.
the humble. He remained their friend. comes frivolous, science is cold."
Was not this a manifestation of his I testify that Mormonism, so-called, is
great love? the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the
The meek will someday inherit the power of God unto salvation. It em-
earth. The honest and conscientious braces all truth and proclaims the
worker will be rewarded, and the idler divinity of Jesus Christ. People every-
and the schemer will have no place where are urged to recognize and
in the ideal commonwealth to be accept that truth and to introduce it
established. into their daily lives. The angel whom
Consider the Savior from any stand- John saw in vision said, "Fear God and
point. He was always a leader. He give glory to him; for the hour of his
possessed all the qualifications necessary judgment is come: and worship him
to lead a world torn asunder by conflict, that made heaven and earth and the
war, disruption, and contention. He sea, and the fountains of waters.'"
looked ahead. He was prepared for (Rev. 14:7.)
eventualities. He knew, for instance May we do so, I pray in the name of
that he would be put to death on the Jesus Christ. Amen.
cross. He knew also the reception that
would be accorded his disciples. He President David O. McKay:
never wavered in the face of a ruthless
and determined opposition. In adversity He who has just spoken is Elder Alma
he was still the leader. A
combination Sonne, Assistant to the Twelve.
of forces assailed him. Strong and pow- Weshall conclude this Third Session
erful they were, but he never lost sight of the 133rd Semi-Annual Conference of
of his appointed mission nor succumbed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
to the fallacies ofmen. His objective day Saints with the Tabernacle Choir
was before him. He never compro- singing, "Glory —
Glory Unto Our Na-
mised nor did he sidestep his responsi- tion," conducted by Elder Richard P.
bilities. He was firm and immovable Condie.
before his assailants, most of whom Following the singing the benediction
shriveled and withered in his presence. will be pronounced by Elder Harvey H.
He could not be manipulated nor Taylor, formerly president of the Mexi-
confused. can Mission, and this Conference will
He was qualified, my brethren and then be adjourned until two o'clock this
sisters, to lead the children of men. He afternoon.
made a bid to do so: ". . . other sheep We express our deep appreciation to
I have, which are not of this fold: the owners and managers of the many
them must bring, that they shall
also I television and radio stations who have
hear my voice; and there shall be one offered their facilities as a public serv-
fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:16.) ice to make the proceedings of this Con-
Jesus is the shepherd. He will succeed, ference available to millions throughout
 PRESIDENT DAVID
North America, South America, Europe,
Africa, and in many other areas of the
world.
The Choir sang the selection, "Glory
— Glory Unto Our Nation," following
SECOND DAY
AFTERNOON MEETING
Saturday, October 5th, 1963.
The fourth session of the Conference
commenced at 2:00 p.m.
The music for this session of the Con-
ference was furnished by the Brigham
Young University Chorale, Kurt Wein-
zinger, Conductor. Roy M. Darley, As-
sistant Tabernacle Organist, was the
accompanist.
The President of the Church, Presi-
dent David O. McKay, who presided
and conducted the services, made the
following introductory remarks:
President David O. McKay:
For the information of those who are
tuned in by radio and television, we are
pleased to announce that we are assem-
bled in the famous Tabernacle on
Temple Square in Salt Lake City, in the
Fourth Session of the 133rd Semi-An-
nual Conference of the Church. These
services are being broadcast in the As-
sembly Hall by television. Those stand-
ing in the doorways may possibly find
seats in that building. This session of
the Conference will be broadcast as a
public service over television and radio
stations throughout the West. The
names of the stations were announced
prior to the beginning of this meeting.
We appreciate the service that is being
rendered by these stations.
Both of the sessions today will be
rebroadcast over KSL Radio Sunday
morning starting at one o'clock a.m.,
and will be heard in many parts of the
United States and the world, including
Canada, Mexico, Alaska, and the Is-
lands of the Pacific. A video tape of our
session this morning is now on its way
by air and will be telecast tomorrow
morning in Hawaii.
O. McKAY 55
which the closing prayer was offered by
Elder Harvey H. Taylor, formerly presi-
dent of the Mexican Mission.
Conference adjourned until 2 o'clock
p.m.
We have received the following tele-
grams:
John B. Chambers,Jacksonville
Branch, Arkansas District, of the Gulf
States Mission says: "Pleased to inform
you that 17 Latter-day Saint servicemen
just departed by plane from Lindwalk
Air Force Base to join you in this
Conference."
And from the Hawkes Bay Stake
presidency in New Zealand: "Greetings
and Aloha Lei from the Hawkes Bay
Stake presidency, New Zealand."
The world is getting smaller.
We are pleased to note the attendance
this afternoon of special guests, promi-
nent state and city officials, and leaders
in educational circles. We
welcome each
of you. Weare pleased to welcome also
our stake, ward, and temple authorities
and General Auxiliary officers of the
Church. To all, to our vast unseen
audience and to all who are gathered
in this historic building, we extend a
cordial welcome.
The singing for this afternoon's ses-
sion will be furnished by the Brigham
Young University Chorale, conducted by
Kurt Weinzinger, with Roy M. Darley
at the organ. We
are exceedingly
pleased to have these young men and
women with us this afternoon, and ex-
tend a hearty welcome to them.
We shall begin these services by the
choir singing, "Come, and Let Us Re-
turn Unto the Lord." The invocation
will be offered by Elder Donald B.
Milne, president of the East Jordan
Stake.
The Brigham Young University Cho-
rale sang, "Come, And Let Us Return
Unto The Lord."
Elder Donald B. Milne, president of
the East Jordan Stake, offered the in-
vocation.
56 GENERAL
Saturday, October 5
President David O. McKay:
The invocation was offered by Don-
ald B. Milne, president of the East
Jordan Stake.
The Brigham Young University Cho-
rale will now favor us with "The One-
Hundred-Fiftieth Psalm," conducted by
Kurt Weinzinger. After the singing we
shall hear from Elder LeGrand Rich-
ards of the Council of the Twelve.
ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS
Of the Council
Dear brothers and sisters and the
tening audience:
Ithought I would like to discuss with
you today briefly what, to me, is the
most important thing in a man's life.
Jesus said:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you."
(Matt. 6:33.)
Where should one seek to find the
kingdom of God today?
The Apostle Paul said:
"And he gave some, apostles; and
some, prophets; and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers;
"For the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edify-
ing of the body of Christ:
"Till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the
measure of the stature of the fulness
of Christ:
"That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and cunning crafti-
ness, whereby they lie in wait to de-
ceive." (Eph. 4:11-14.)
Can the world claim that we have
come to a unity of the faith?
In view of the hundreds of churches
claiming to be the church of Christ and
yet teaching conflicting doctrine, is it
not clear that men are being tossed to
and fro with every wind of doctrine as
the Apostle Paul stated, and is this not
because the apostles and the prophets
whom God placed in his Church to
C
Second Day
Singing by the Brigham Young Uni-
versity Chorale, "The One-Hundred-
Fiftieth Psalm."
President David O. McKay:
The speaker this afternoon will
first
be Elder LeGrand Richards of the
Council of the Twelve. He will be fol-
lowed by Elder Eldred G. Smith.
of the Twelve Apostles
lis- bring them to a unity of the faith
were all put to death, except the Apostle
John who was promised that he might
tarry to bring souls unto Christ until
he should come in his glory.
What became of the Church and
kingdom of God after the Savior and
his apostles were put to death?
The Apostle Paul warned the breth-
ren of his day not to look for the com-
ing of Christ until there should be
a falling away first. These are Paul's
words:
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto him,
"That ye be not soon shaken in
mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit,
nor by word, not by letter as from us,
as that day of Christ is at hand.
"Let no man deceive you by any
means: for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away first,
and that man of sin be revealed, the
son of perdition"; (2 Thess. 2:1-3.)
Could a more positive statement be
made that there would be a falling
away before men could look for the
coming of Christ?
Flow universal was this apostate con-
dition to be?
When the Apostle John was banished
upon the isle of Patmos, the angel of
the Lord showed him all things from
the war in heaven when Satan was cast
out with a third of the hosts of heaven
until the final winding up scenes when
we would have a new heaven and a
new earth, for all former things would
have passed away, and the angel said:
 ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS
". . . Come up and I will shew
hither,
thee things which must be hereafter."
(Rev. 4:1.)
And the angel showed John the power
that Satan would have in the world
and said:
"And it was given unto him to make
war with the saints, (the members of
his church) and to overcome them: and
power was given him over all kindreds,
and tongues, and nations." (Ibid., 13:7.)
In light of these statements it is clear
that the Lord permitted his apostles to
see the time when his Church and king-
dom would not be found upon
the earth.
But he also let them see the time
when his kingdom would again be re-
stored to the earth.
After the Apostle John was shown by
the angel the power given Satan to make
war with the Saints and to overcome
them and power was given him over
all kindreds and tongues and nations
(see idem), he was shown how the
Lord would restore his kingdom to the
earth. He said:
"And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting
gospel to preach unto them that dwell
on the earth, and to every nation, and
kindred,and tongue, and people,
"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God,
and give glory to him; for the hour of
his judgment is come: and worship him
that made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and the fountains of waters."
(Ibid., 14:6-7.)
Thus the everlasting gospel was to
be restored to the earth by an angel
being sent from the heavens. It was
to be preached to every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people, showing again how
universal the departure from the truth
had been or there would have been
no need of an angel being sent from
heaven to restore the everlasting gospel
to the earth.
The Prophet Isaiah also saw the day
when men would be teaching for doc-
trines the precepts of men, and he said:
"Therefore, behold, I will proceed to
do a marvelous work among this people,
even a marvelous work and a wonder:
for the wisdom of their wise men shall
perish, and the understanding of their
57
prudent men shall be hid." (Isa. 29:14.)
Our message is to acquaint every lover
of truth with this marvelous work and
a wonder or the everlasting gospel
brought back to this earth by holy mes-
sengers sent from heaven in our day.
The Prophet Amos tells us the need
of a prophet in these words:
"Surely the Lord God will do noth-
ing, but he revealeth his secret unto his
servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7.)
Thus, he, who would be sent to pre-
pare the way of the coming of the Lord
in the latter days, could be none other
than a prophet.
We bear solemn witness unto the
world that the Lord has raised up a
prophet in this dispensation to restore
his everlasting gospel or his kingdom
upon the earth, and that prophet was
Joseph Smith.
When Jesus bore testimony to Nico-
demus of what the Lord had done,
he said:
"Verily, verily,I say unto thee, We
speak that we do know, and testify that
we have seen; and ye receive not our
witness." (John 3:11.)
And we testify that we do know that
Joseph Smith was a prophet of God
who was visited by God the Father and
his Son Jesus Christ when, following
the admonition of the Apostle James,
if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of
God who giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him. (See James 1:5.) He went
into the woods near his father's house,
when only in his fifteenth year, to ask
of God which of all the churches he
should join, and the Savior of the world
whose right it is to sit in judgment upon
all men told him, he should join none
of them, for they were all wrong and
were teaching for doctrine the com-
mandments of men, thus merely de-
claring the fulfilment of the prophecies
we have already referred to.
Following this glorious vision, other
heavenly messengers were sent to re-
store all things spoken by the mouths
of all the holy prophets since the world
began as declared by the Apostle Peter
which would have to transpire before
the Savior would come again. (See
Acts 3:19-21.)
58 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5
Moroni, a prophet who lived upon
this land of America about four hundred
years after the birth of Christ and who
had custody of the records that had
been kept, of the hand dealings of the
Lord with a people that he led to the
land of America six hundred years be-
fore the birth of Christ, which record
was recorded on gold plates, was de-
livered by Moroni to the Prophet Joseph
Smith with the Urim and Thummim
or
interpreters by use of which he was able
to translate these records which we now
have as the Book of Mormon.
John the Baptist, who was beheaded
for the testimony of Jesus, brought back
the Aaronic Priesthood.
Peter, James, and John, apostles of
the Lord Jesus Christ who were with
him upon the mount of the transfigura-
tion, restored the Melchizedek Priest-
hood with the holy apostleship. Thus
men were again empowered by ordina-
tion to perform holy ordinances here
upon the earth necessary for the salva-
tion and exaltation of men so that such
ordinances would be binding in the
heavens, and again to establish the
Church and kingdom of God upon
the earth.
When Jesus, as he sat upon the Mount
of Olives,told his disciples that the
temple at Jerusalem would be de-
stroyed so there would not be left
one stone upon another, his disciples
said unto him:
"Tell us, when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of thy
coming, and of the end of the world?"
(Matt. 24:3.)
Then Jesus told his disciples of the
judgments that would befall the na-
tions, of wars and rumors of wars
and pestilences and earthquakes and
famines, and then he adds:
"Then shall they deliver you up to
be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye
shall be hated of all nations for my
name's sake." (Ibid., 24:9.)
Then he adds:
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall
be preached in all the world for a wit-
ness unto all nations; and then shall
the end come." (Ibid., 24:14.)
This isthe only gospel, through obe-
dience, to which men can obtain
Second Day
membership in the Church and king-
dom God here upon this earth.
of
So, if we understand the scriptures,
we would know that the truth, the ever-
lasting gospel, the marvelous work and
wonder Isaiah spoke of, would be found
with a people who have been hated by
all nations. Such has been the history
of this people and this Church.
The Prophet Joseph Smith and his
brother Hyrum were shot in cold blood
by a wicked mob, and many of the
Saints were killed for their testimonies,
and the Saints were driven from their
homes time and time again until they
were driven beyond the borders of the
United States.
Recently, I sent a copy of a book
explaining the teachings of this Church
to a distant relative in the East, an
intelligent man. He wrote back indi-
cating that it was the first book he had
ever read in favor of the Mormons. He
said, "I doubt if you have any concep-
tion of the erroneous ideas the people
of New England have regarding the
Mormon people. I sometimes wonder if
they believe the tales they tell."
But though the Lord had said that his
people would be hated of all nations,
nevertheless, he promised the Prophet
Joseph Smith and his associates:
". . power to lay the foundation of
.
this church, and to bring it forth out
of obscurity and out of darkness, the
only true and living church upon the
face of the whole earth, with which I,
the Lord, am well pleased, speaking
unto the church collectively and not
individually—" (D&C 1:30.)
It is gratifying to us to have lived
long enough to see the realization of
this promise.
Last year 115,000 new converts joined
this Church because they believed
through the power of the Holy Spirit
in answer to their prayers that Joseph
Smith truly was a Prophet of God.
On May 17 of this year (1963) the
"Ten Commandments Award" of the
Fraternal Order of Eagles of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, was presented to President
McKay. It was the third time in fifty-
six years the award had been presented
by the organization.
The award, an engraved copper
 ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS
mounted on walnut,
scroll read:
"To President David O. McKay—for
leadership and strengthening the moral
and spiritual fabric of American life."
Then, Mr. Thacker, representing more
than a million members in the United
States said:
"We wish to express our appreciation
for your leadership as head of one of
the great religions and faiths of our
country. We
present it in honor to
your church and faith, and to you per-
sonally. May you reign forever."
How appropriately he expresses our
feelings toward our great prophet and
leader of today.
On March 29, 1960, a youth con-
ference was held in Washington, at the
call of President Eisenhower. Some
seven thousand delegates from all over
the United States attended that con-
ference. President Marion D. Hanks of
the First Council of the Seventy of this
Church was asked to give the keynote
address at that conference, and as he
sat down, the man conducting the same
made this statement:
"As I sat here, I reflected that Mr.
Hanks comes from people that were
driven from our region of the country
because of the things they believed and
suffered bitter persecution for their
ideals; that went finally to the far
reaches of the country where they
thought themselves away from all this.
"Now we have invited a leader of that
people to come here to talk to us of
the same ideals and principles for which
we drove them away."
It takes truth a long time to travel.
In a book recently published by
Marcus Bach entitled Strange Sects and
Curious Cults he devotes one chapter
to the Mormons. I quote the follow-
ing therefrom.
"Mormonism has outlived its perse-
cutors and outlasted most of its critics
and with good reason. It is the most
truly American of all America's relig-
ions. Its founders, its miracles, its holy
books, its prophets, its martyrs, and its
spiritgrew out of American soil. Across
America from coast to coast are the
credentials of its faith, and it is in
America that it has built its holy city
and its sacred state,"
59
During the summer of 1959, the presi-
dent of the Deep Springs College near
Bishop, California, a member of the
Episcopal Church, taught at the Brig-
ham Young University Summer School.
In an interview with a newspaper
reporter, he said:
"It may well be that the Mormon
people have the key that will eventu-
ally save this country."
We knew that, but we didn't know
that he did. Then he adds:
"I am impressed with the extremely
high level of intellect I encounter in
the students here and even more im-
portant the character of the students."
And is this not the true test of true
Christianity?
I have a son-in-law in Los Angeles
who has interested a retired minister
in the accomplishments of the Mormon
Church. He said to my son-in-law a
short time ago, "I would like to do some-
thing worthwhile before I die. I would
like to write a book in favor of the
Mormon Church." While my wife and
I were there during our last summer's
vacation, my son-in-law had fifty type-
written pages prepared by this man
under the title A Methodist Preacher
Likes Some Things about the Mormon
Religion. I was asked to read the fifty
pages which I did, and there were many
very complimentary things said about
our Church. I quote just a few para-
graphs taken at random from the
fifty pages:
"The Mormons need to know that
what has been good for the develop-
ment and practice of the Welfare state
in Utah has fundamental principles that
God designed for the world at large
as well as for the Mormon Church. If
Mormon principles of the Welfare state
have been good for the Mormon people
— it is also a good thing to give it out
to the whole world without stint
or favor."
*****
". . . The despised Mormon Church
has something in its makeup, the
church world needs and no amount of
dodging this fact will furnish escape-
ment from our theological muddle of
the present hour."
*****
60
Saturday, October 5
". Joseph was irregular like all
. .
prophets of God, and I believe he was a
prophet of God, in spite of any proven
blunders that might be suggested on the
part of his enemies."
*****
". The Mormon church has some-
. .
thing that the world needs, and ignor-
ance of Mormon truth will not help
us solve the problems of our national
life."
*****
". . . No two men in the religious
history of America were hated like
Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, but
they had something the world needed
in spite of any personal faults they
might have had in
*****
life."
". It is high time that some honest
. .
scribe wrote about the importance of
the truth that Joseph Smith and Brig-
ham Young preached while being the
most brutally opposed men in American
religious life."
It is wonderful to note how the Lord
is fulfilling his promise that he would
bring his work forth out of obscurity
and out of darkness.
ELDER ELDRED
One morning on my way from
parking lot to my office in the Church
Office Building I stopped momentarily
at the large excavation behind the
building. A young man stepped over by
me and asked what was going on. I
told him it was the excavation for a
large multistory church administration
building. He replied as he turned and
went down the street, "That's too much
to spend on religion." Obviously he
didn't place much value on religion.
I've been thinking since then, how
much is too much?
In this busy world, are we so con-
cerned with other things that we have
not time for God? We
and ponder Where — are
centered?
"Theresomething very remarkable
is
about what we have to give under the
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Second Day
To all who are listening to me this
day, say unto you, that God the
I
Eternal Father has restored his Church
and kingdom to the earth, that he has
built his Church again upon the
foundation of apostles and prophets
with Christ our Lord as the chief
cornerstone; and no matter what your
faith may be, I promise you that if you
will investigate and join this Church
with sincerity of heart, that it will en-
rich your lives beyond anything that
you could purchase with the wealth of
this world. Hence, I repeat, the great-
est thing in this world is to seek first
the kingdom of God and his righteous-
ness and all other blessings will be
added. I prize my membership in his
Church and kingdom above all other
things I have in this world, even 10
my life itself. May God blessyou all,
I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
President David O. McKay:
Elder LeGrand Richards of the Coun-
cilof the Twelve has just spoken to us.
We shall now hear from Elder Eldred
G. Smith, Patriarch to the Church.
G. SMITH
Patriarch to the Church
the gospel plan," said President J. Reuben
Clark, Jr. "No matter how much we
give of truth, of good example, of right-
eous living, our stores, our blessings
increase, not decrease by that which we
give away. . . .
"Weare expected to give out of our
store all that we possibly can give away,
and in proportion as we give unto
others, we become thereby more and
more enriched ourselves."
In serving our fellow men we are also
serving God. As he has said, "Inas-
much have done it unto one of
as ye
the least of thesemy brethren, ye have
done unto me." (Matt. 25:40.) The
it
need to stop more we serve, the more we are blessed.
our values King Benjamin in addressing his peo-
ple said, "I say unto you that if ye
should serve him who has created you
from the beginning, and is preserving
 ELDER ELDRED G. SMITH 61

you from day to day, by lending you been for the accident he would not have
breath, that ye may live and move and received the gospel. He had been too
do according to your own will, and busy before to be interested in religion.
even supporting you from one moment After the accident he had plenty of time
to another — I say, if ye should serve to think and set his values straight.
him with all your whole souls, yet ye Then the missionaries called on him.
would be unprofitable servants. He accepted the gospel and now has
"And behold all that he requires of been to the temple and had his wife
you is to keep his commandments; and and family sealed to him for time and
he has promised you that if ye would without which he wouldn't
all eternity,
keep his commandments ye should have his family after death. For this
prosper in the land; and he never doth he was most grateful. What price is
vary from that which he hath said; too great for the blessings of exaltation
therefore, if ye do keep his command- and eternal life, and what is there in
ments he doth bless you and prosper you. this world that is more precious than
"And now, in the first place, he hath the gospel of Jesus Christ?
created you, and granted unto you your In early days of the Church it was not
lives, for which ye are indebted uncommon for converts to be rejected by
unto him. family and friends and forced to make a
"And secondly, he doth require that choice between loved ones and the
ye should do as he hath commanded gospel of Christ. They chose the gos-
you; for which if ye do, he doth imme- pel because it gave them a joy and
diately bless you; and therefore he hath security which could not be found in
paid you. And ye are still indebted any other way. There are still some
unto him, and are, and will be, forever converts who are forced to make this
and ever; therefore, of what have ye choice. On the other hand, some of
to boast?" (Mosiah 2:21-24.) us who have been given blessings in
Have you ever tried to get the Lord such abundance have no time for God.
indebted to you? He has offered that Our search for wealth and riches means
challenge to you. more to us, and we are sufficient unto
"Bring ye all the tithes into the ourselves. We
no longer depend
storehouse, that there may be meat in upon God.
mine house, and prove me now here- The Lord has said in the section called
with, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will the Word of Wisdom:
not open you the windows of heaven, "And all saints who remember to
and pour you out a blessing, that there keep and do these sayings, walking in
shall not be room enough to receive obedience to the commandments, shall
it." (Mai. 3:10.) receive health in their navel and mar-
We are indebted to God for our very row to their bones;
life: the air we breathe, our sight, "And shall find wisdom and great
speech, hearing. treasures of knowledge, even hidden
Typical of many other such cases is treasures"; (D&C 89:18-19.)
the lady who was born blind. Through How can one set a price on the "hid-
the goodness of the missionaries who den treasure" of knowledge of the gospel
provided her with the Braille and talk- of Jesus Christ?
ing records necessary to teach her the And again the Lord has declared:
gospel, she became converted to the "And also all they who receive this
Church. She told me she had two sisters priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
who had their sight, but she wouldn't "For he that receiveth my servants
trade places with either one of them. receiveth me;
They had their sight, but they didn't "And he that receiveth me receiveth
see. She had the gospel and a testimony my Father;
of its divinity, but they did not. "And he that receiveth my Father
Another typical example is the man receiveth my Father's kingdom; there-
who was grateful the accidentfor fore all that my Father hath shall be
which caused him to be paralyzed from given unto him." (Ibid., 84:35-38.)
the waist down. He said if it had not What price is too high? Can you ap-
62 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day
predate the blessing which belongs to show that appreciation by righteous liv-
you priesthood holders to take your ing and service to our fellow men and
child in your arms in the congregation unto God, I pray in the name of Jesus
of the Church and give it a name and Christ. Amen.
blessing, or to baptize and confirm the
members of your family, or others who President David O. McKay:
may be worthy?
Count your many blessings, see what Elder Eldred G. Smith, Patriarch to
God has done. the Church, has just spoken to us. The
Someone has said, "True faith is that Congregation will now join the Brigham
which teaches that things which matter Young University Chorale in singing
most, should not be at the mercy of "High On the Mountain Top," con-
things which matter least." ducted by Elder Kurt Weinzinger.
Let us not be like the man in the Following the singing we shall hear
parable Christ gave who filled his from Elder Boyd K. Packer.
storehouses with the riches of the world.
When they were filled to overflowing
he said, "I shall tear them down and The Brigham Young University Cho-
build greater." (See Luke 12:18.)
rale joined with the congregation in
"But God said unto him, Thou fool,
singing the hymn, "High On The
this night thy soul shall be required of
Mountain Top."
thee: . .
." (Ibid., 12:20.)
None of us knows when our soul
President David O. McKay:
may be required of us. It may be later
than we think. We shall now
hear from Elder Boyd
May we more fully appreciate the K. Packer, Assistant to the Twelve. He
great and wonderful blessings which will be followed by Elder Bernard P.
the gospel offers to us, and may we Brockbank.

ELDER BOYD K. PACKER

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Between sessions I was speaking to home with his aged mother. Tearfully
Brother Alma Sonne, whom I affection- he pleaded, "Mama, you can't go.
ately call my "big brother." He was Mama, you've got to live. Mama,
the concluding speaker at this morning's you can't die."
session, and sensing some apprehension Now, as the last person who seemed
on my part about this moment, he said: to care much for him at all was about
"Don't worry, little brother. I promise to go home, his pleadings became al-
you this: There is a good spirit when most frantic as he demanded, "Mama,
you get up there." And I confess that I you can't go." And then he said with
am totally dependent upon that good emphasis, "Mama, I won't let you go."
spirit and plead with the Lord for his I shall not forget. The little mother
blessings during the few moments looked up at her son, and in her broken
allotted me here at this pulpit. Danish accent she said, "But vher iss
Some time ago I stood at the bedside yoa powah?" It is to her question,
of an aged little Danish woman. She "Where Is Your Power?" that I would
was near the close of her life. There speak.
was a serenity and anticipation, even Ller son had brought no honor to the
a beauty about her as she talked of family name. As a father he had
what soon would be. There stood with failed. How sharper than a serpent's
us her middle-aged son, a pathetic fig- tooth is failure such as thisl I address
ure. He had lost his wife and family my remarks to every father who has a
through self-indulgence and for the son —not to the exclusion of fathers
past number of years had been living at who have daughters only, for much of
 ELDER BOYD
what say will suit them, too but
I —
pointedly to every man who has a son
to carry on his name.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints a family-centered Church.
is
I bear fervent, solemn witness that The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints was divinely instituted; that
there stands at the head of this Church
today a prophet of God, and that the
program of the Church is ordered by
revelation from on high. In the Church
there is reverence for family relation-
ships. Family relationships are sacred.
The family is eternal.
speak to the father simply in recog-
I bad examples before them; and the
nition of his place at the head of the
home. Recently a priesthood home
teaching program was inaugurated in
the Church. It reaffirms to every father
his responsibility. It brings to every
father new opportunity.
The responsibilities of fatherhood
cannot be delegated to social agencies,
nor even to the Church, for a father
may unwittingly erase all of the good
effects of those outside the home who
seek to build for him a worthy son.
Parents frequently call upon the Gen-
eral Authorities of the Church and
anxiously argue that we are the last
hope to rescue a wayward son or
daughter. They seek a blessing we
cannot always bestow, for often we find
it is the parent and not the child that
needs reproof. How wise was the
prophet when he said:
". .The fathers have eaten sour
. and the Lord has urged:
grapes, and the children's teeth are set
on edge." (Ezek. 18:2.)
One cannot, I repeat, escape the
obligation of fatherhood. The father
who neglects his son may suffer the
condemnation that the Lord placed
upon the Prophet Eli when he said:
"For I have told him that I will
judge his house for ever for the iniquity
which he knoweth; because his sons
made themselves vile, and he restrained
them not." (1 Sam. 3:13.)
I would remind you that the father
is first of all a husband, and essential
sons is proper
to rearing of fine stalwart
regard for the wife and the mother of
the family. O how important it is
a son to have a proper relationship with
K. PACKER 63
his father and with his mother, and
for him to know that his father and
his mother live together in love. There
are some hideous things that can hap-
—
pen to a boy ugly, abnormal, perverted
things. A proper parental pattern is the
greatest insurance against tragedy such
as this.
The Prophet Jacob, in accusing way-
ward fathers of his day, said:
"Behold, ye have done greater in-
inquities than the Lamanites, our breth-
ren. Ye have broken the hearts of
your tender wives, and lost the confi-
dence of your children, because of your
sobbings of their hearts ascend up to
God against you. . . ." (Jacob 2:35.)
If the father does not honor the
priesthood he holds, rest assured that
the son will do more than duplicate the
inactivity. He will likely magnify the
mischief he sees in you, father. For-
tunately, the same may be true of your
virtue and activity also.
Give careful, prayerful, conscious
thought and consideration to your fam-
ily. Do not bury your life in merely
providing a living. Many men play
the role of fatherhood just by ear. They
only react to what is, rather than to
strive with conscious, prayerful effort
for what ought to be.
A necessary and important discovery
with reference to a boy is that he is an
individual. Boys must be taught to
work, but boys are not miniature men,
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your
children to wrath: but bring them up
in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord." (Eph. 6:4.)
A boy is not born to know that his
father loves him. He must be told
and shown and shown and told a thou-
sand times or more. A father must be
wise and patient, but most of all he
must be consistent, and his expectations
must be reasonable. For as the poet said:
"What unjust judges fathers are, when
in regard to us they hold
That even in our boyish days we ought
in conduct to be old.
for Nor taste at all the very things that
youth and only youth requires;
 —

64 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day
They rule us by their present wants, that his was George A.
grandfather
not by their past long-lost desires." Smith, Counselor to President
First
(Terence The Self-Tormentor, Brigham Young.) President Smith con-
Act I, Scene 3, tinues: "I remember how happy I was
F. W. Ricord's Trans.) to see him coming. I had been given
his name and had always been proud
Recently in California a church of it.
leader described a lecture he had given "When grandfather came within a
his children.He had forcefully affirmed few feet of me, he stopped. His stop-
to them how he had been self-sufficient ping was an invitation for me to stop.
as a youth, how dependable he had Then —
and this I would like the . . .

been, how hard he worked. His tiny people never to forget he looked at — me
daughter brought him back to earth by very earnestly and said:
saying, "Daddy, when you were a little " 'I would like to know what you have
baby, did you fix your own bottle?" done with my name.'
Where is your power to rear children "Everything I had ever done passed
to bring honor to your name? Each before me as though it were a flying
father would do well to recognize that picture on a screen —
everything I had
he is himself a son. This is true in an done. Quickly this vivid retrospect
eternal way. It is my testimony that came down to the very time I was stand-
the word "father" in the scriptures ing there. My whole life had passed
means father; that we have a child- before me. I smiled and looked at my
parent relationship with God; that we grandfather and said:
were created in his image; that we are " 'I have never done anything with
his children, and each one of us, par- your name of which you need be
ticularly those who hold the priesthood, ashamed.'
will one day have to answer to him. "He stepped forward and took me in
The late President George Albert his arms, and as he did so, I became
Smith once lay critically ill. Those conscious again of my earthly surround-
close to him despaired of his life. He ings. My pillow was as wet as though
later recorded: "One day, under these water had been poured on it wet with —
conditions, I lost consciousness of my tears of gratitude that I could answer
surroundings and thought I had passed unashamed."
to the other side. I found myself This vision or dream of President
standing with my back to a large Smith reminds each of us of the re-
beautiful lake, facing a great forest sponsibility we bear with reference to
of trees. There was no one in sight, the name that has been given us. We
and there was no boat upon the lake have taken upon ourselves the name of
or any other visible means to indicate Christ and have entered into a cove-
how I might have arrived there. I nant to remember him always and to
realized, or seemed to realize, that I keep the commandments which he has
had finished my work in mortality and given us, and in consequence of keeping
had gone home. I began to look around, the commandments there comes a prom-
to see if I could not find someone. . . . ise that we shall have his Spirit to be
". .soon I found a trail through
. with us.
the woods which seemed to have been Our measure will not depend on
used very little, and which was almost academic degrees or political preference
obscured by grass. I followed this or property or influence so much as
trail, and after I had walked for some simply how we lived at home. To be
time and had traveled a considerable a worthy father is to be a faithful son.
distance through the forest, I saw a The formula for either is the same.
man coming toward me. I became Where is your power? It is in the
aware that he was a very large man, power of example. Where is your
and I hurried my steps to reach him, power to raise sons to do honor to your
because I recognized him as my grand- name? It is in the power of the
father. . .
." (I say parenthetically here priesthood.
 ELDER BERNARD P. BROCKBANK 65

In closing I quote a few lines from Is your message impressive and clear?
Jane Terry written to teachers, appli-
cable to fathers who are the teachers "Are you living a worthy example?
of their sons: Isyour character what it should be?
When the children have gathered
"You are called to be true under- around you,
shepherds, Can you say, 'Come, follow me'?
To keep watch o'er the lambs of the "Earnest effort is always rewarded,
fold;
Righteous lives are inspiring to all,
"And to point out the way to green
You can render your thanks to our
pastures,
Savior,
Of more value than silver or gold.
By making the most of your call."

"Unto you are entrusted the children In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Priceless treasures from heaven above,
You're to teach them the truth of the President David O. McKay:
Gospel
Let them bask in the warmth of your Elder Boyd K. Packer, Assistant to the
love. Twelve, has just spoken to us. Elder
Bernard P. Brockbank, also an Assistant
"Do you ask for the help of our father to the Twelve, will now speak to us.
In teaching his children so dear? He will be followed by Elder S. Dil-
Do you put forth a true, honest effort? worth Young.

ELDER BERNARD P. BROCKBANK

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Brothers and always a joy-

sisters, it is It was good to share missionary bless-
ful and honored occasion to look in the ings and to have friendship with these
faces of so many priesthood bearers, to two great missionaries.
be in the presence of our prophet, enjoy reading the scriptures.
I You
twelve apostles, and so many fine peo- know, they seem to have quite a human
ple desiring to enjoy and know the touch. You remember Peter saying
spiritual things of life. after the Savior's resurrection, and in
I would like to just mention that in his absence, "I go a fishing." (John
the passing of President Henry D. 21:3.) That is just about as brief as
Moyle, working so close with him in you can put it. The Savior appeared
the mission learned to appre-
field, I while Peter and the disciples were
ciate his great strength and his power fishing. After the Savior had shown
and his interest in taking the gospel them how to catch fish by casting their
to every soul. He knew no limit, and —
nets under his direction casting the
he always had an open door to every- net under his counsel and his guidance
one. He always had time for the right — that is the way to fish. He taught
things. I have never experienced an them how be fishers of men, to cast
to
individual like President Moyle, a man their nets under the direction of the
of leadership, capacity, and strength, Savior. I would like to take the next
and with so many varied interests. part of this great message that the
Also working in the mission field with Savior left with Peter on how to be an
President Tanner, I used to marvel at effective missionary. This was now the
how he could make so many inter- third time that Jesus showed himself to
views. I am sure that he tired the same his disciples after that he was risen
as the rest of us, but never seemed
it from the dead. Jesus saith to Simon
toshow. Courage and strength he has — Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
only one real desire and interest and thou me?"
that is to further the work of the Lord. These scriptures are well known to
66 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

all. This is a very important question than about feeding and teaching their
for each one of us. May I ask each of own friends and neighbors the gospel.
you, "Do you love the Lord?" The I learned a lesson about this point in
answer almost without exception would the mission field.
be, "Yes." Let us place ourselves in The missionaries baptized a little
the position of Peter. Scottish boy, very shabbily dressed, from
". .Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou
. a very poor home, family conditions al-
me? ... He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; most as bad as you could find. I asked
thou knowest that I love thee. He saith the missionary, "Why did you baptize
unto him, Feed my lambs." The Lord this boy?" "Well, he is a good boy."
can tell if we love him. The boy brought his entire family into
"He saith to him again the second the Church. His father was an alco-
time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou holic. He failed to bring his money
me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; home. Well, the story has a beautiful
thou knowest that I love thee. He ending. Today the boy's father is the
saith unto him, Feed my sheep. bishop. I learned not to judge the
"He saith unto him the third time, conversion of someone else. The Lord
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? will hold the person that improperly
Peter was grieved because he saith unto brings someone into this Church, and
him the third time, Lovest thou me? him alone.
And he said unto him, Lord, thou know- Now what have we to teach the
est all things; thou knowest that I love people? You know, the Savior gives
thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my us this great message. don't have We
sheep." (Ibid., 21:15-17. Italics added.) to guess at what to teach. The Savior
Can you picture this great scene of said ". . Go ye into all the world, and
.

that powerful Peter being asked these preach the gospel to every creature.
simple questions? And the Lord had "He that believeth and is baptized
a way of knowing how deep the love shall be saved; . ." (Mark 16:15-16.)
.

was within Peter and how to teach And then he gives us the key. Jesus
him the way to show his love for said: "Teaching them to observe all
Jesus Christ. things whatsoever I have commanded
Weshow and prove our love by feed- you: .
." (Matt. 28:20.)
.

ing the lambs and the sheep. There Our job is to teach the people to ob-
are over three billion people on the serve all things whatsoever Jesus Christ
earth today, and at the present rate of has commanded. We
are to teach every
teaching, over two and a half billion nation, kindred, tongue, and people the
of God's children will never be taught commandments given by Christ.
the gospel of Jesus Christ. What if you The Prophet Ether in the Book of
were to live on this earth and never had Mormon is an excellent example of a
a chance to hear and be taught the good effective missionary. ". he . .

true way of life? could not be restrained because of the

Our task is great. Teachers are Spirit of the Lord which was in him.
needed. Every member of this Church "For he did cry from the morning,
that has a testimony and is converted
even until the going down of the sun,
is urgently needed. The lambs and the
exhorting the people to believe in God
sheep are hungry for the bread of life,
for the gospel of Jesus Christ. can We unto repentance lest they should be
unto them by
show our love by following the prophet
of God, "by every member being a
destroyed, saying
faith all things are fulfilled
—"that
(Ether
missionary" to bring one or more souls 12:2-3.)
into the Church each year. It is great Here are some of the things that
to have a prophet. Have you followed Jesus commanded:
the prophet? "Let your light so shine before men,
I find people occasionally worried and that they may see your good works, and
concerned about whether someone else's glorify your Father which is in heaven."
convert is fully converted. They are (Matt. 5:16.)
more concerned sometimes about this Teach them to search the scriptures;
 ELDER BERNARD
they contain the program that
provided for his children.
Teach your fellow man to have faith
in the Living Personal God as found in
the scriptures.
Teach your neighbors and friends
that they were created in the image and
likeness of God, their Heavenly Father.
Teach them to have faith in Jesus
Christ, the Son of God and the Savior
and Redeemer of the world.
Teach them to repent from sin and
evil and to seek first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness.
Teach them baptism the same bap-—
tism that Jesus exemplified as he went
down into the water at the river Jordan
under the hands of God's authorized
servant, John the Baptist.
Teach them that they must be born
of the spirit and receive the Holy Ghost.
Jesus said, ". . Except a man be born
. building, I am sure the architect was
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God."
(John 3:5.)
Teach them to love God and
bor.
Teach them from their hearts
to pray
to a Living God and a Heavenly Father.
Teach them that revelation from God
to man has never ceased if man desires
to know and receive the heavenly bless-
ings and witnesses.
Teach the people to pray to God and
ask for his blessings through the Savior
Jesus Christ.
Teach them to be kingdom
Remember the Lord's Prayer — ".
When ye pray," the Lord said, "After
this manner therefore pray ye . .
"Thy kingdom come." Anyone pray-
ing after the manner of Jesus Christ
prays to be a kingdom builder. "Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:7,
9-10.)
Teach them to have joy and happi-
ness; long suffering, goodness, meekness,
temperance, love, peace, and faith; these
are the fruits of the Spirit.
Teach them the value and power of
the priesthood of God, and that it has
been restored to the earth.
When you teach, follow the Savior's
counsel and
"let your light shine."
Pray always before you teach for faith,
wisdom, and the inspiration of the Holy
P. BROCKBANK 67
God has Ghost. What a marvelous experience
to teach the gospel under the inspira-
tion of the Holy Spirit! What great
joy comes from feeding the lambs and
the sheep.
I would like to just mention in clos-
ing a little about the World's Fair as a
great missionary venture. I would like
to mention that the Church of Jesus
Christ's pavilion and exhibit at the
New York World's Fair will help to
show the world that we are Christians
after the order of Jesus Christ's program
and teachings, that we literally accept
the living personal God of the Holy
Bible, that we accept the living per-
sonal Jesus Christ as the Son of God
and as the Redeemer and our Savior.
The church pavilion and exhibits will
have the beauty and atmosphere of
sacred Christian love and peace. The
inspired by God. It has an atmosphere
of peace and sacredness, the way the
golden light enters the building, the
neigh- way the extension of the building is de-
signed. It is worth a trip to the fair
just to see this marvelous building and
the exhibits.
The church
pavilion and exhibits will
have the beauty and atmosphere of
Christianity. The theme is "Man's
Search for Happiness." We hope to
show that happiness comes from Chris-
tian righteousness. We
hope to show
many of the fruits of the Church. Jesus
builders. said, "by their fruits ye shall know
. . them." (See Matt. 7:16.) We will
show the restoration of the gospel of
. Jesus Christ back to the earth again,
the same as it was when Jesus lived
upon this earth.
The fair will be for two years, 1964
in and 1965. It is estimated that over
seventy million people will attend. In
my estimation it will be the finest
World's Fair ever held because of the
two-year period.
Our task is great as members of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, but with two million full-time
missionaries and Saints, we can teach
the people, our neighbors, as Jesus said,
"to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you." (Ibid., 28:20.)
May we all follow our prophet and
be missionaries and show our love for
68 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day
God by feeding the lambs and the sheep, to the Twelve, has just spoken to us.
I humbly pray in the name of Jesus
Christ. Amen.
We shall now hear from Elder S. Dil-
worth Young of the First Council of
President David O. McKay: Seventy. He will be followed by Elder
Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, Assistant Henry D. Taylor, our closing speaker.

ELDER S. DILWORTH YOUNG

Of the First Council of tlte Seventy

So the translators may be forewarned, code into his system, except as I detail
I am going to say two things which are it one item at a time. That has been
not on the paper in front of me. The my experience in teaching boys.
first is that I fully and completely That explains, to me at least, why
support President Tanner and Brother we teach thoroughly the Word of Wis-
Monson in their positions. I am sure dom, and then discover to our sorrow
they know this already. But for any that often times the person who would
others who have any doubt about it, not disobey one phase of the Word of
I want them also to know that I do. Wisdom sometimes doesn't have much
The second thing is with regard to conception of the moral code. Or we
some desirable attributes mentioned just teach him the moral code, and he does
now by Brother Brockbank. He named not seem to have any conception of the
a number we must teach our
of things Word of Wisdom. We cannot allow
young folk if we
expect to have them ourselves to assume that a boy, or girl
stay true in the Church and have prop- either, is going to learn more than one
er acceptance before the Lord in his thing at a time.
kingdom. It has been my
observation Henry Van Dyke, an author read
as a leader of youth that one does not very much by the past generation, but
teach youth in "lumps," if I may use little known to this one, once wrote a
—
the word in bulk. Each thing one story concerning a man who lost the
teaches to a boy must be taught to word which could save him. Until he
him separately from other things. May could remember it, say it, and put it
I illustrate: into his life once more, he found no
I can teach a boy to make a fire with —
peace that's how the story went.
two matches, to care for it and to put Well, there is a word which many of
it out. This one of the tests that
is the present generation have not learned
used to be in the Boy Scout Handbook to know in the first place. It is not lost,
when I was in that movement. I can for it has not yet been learned. Yet
teach him so that I can leave him without it we cannot go very far in our
while he does it, and I can have confi- progress toward the kingdom of heaven.
dence that he will perform the test Like Mr. Van Dyke, I shall leave the
without my having seen him do it. But word until the last part of what I shall
the fact that I taught him that much —
say but I shall talk to it.
of honor will not necessarily carry over found a suggestion of it in the words
I
to his schoolwork, and the next day he of President Heber C. Kimball when
may cheat in an examination. I now he wrote his feelings about first hearing
must retrace my steps and teach that the gospel. He wrote: "The family of
boy not to cheat in examinations, and John Young, Senior," (who incidentally
then having taught him not to cheat is my great-great-grandfather) "of five
in examinations, I must take any other sons and five daughters and two sons-
virtue I want him to possess, center on in-law, John P. Greene and Joel San-
it, and teach him that. I may not as- ford, had moved to Mcndon a few
sume that because I have generalized on years previously." Brother Kimball was
the code of conduct which I expect him in Mendon at this time. "They had the
to live by that he will get any of that same principles in their breasts that I
 ELDER HENRY D. TAYLOR 69

had in mine; truth was what we wanted lost word which not lost, but which
is
and would have; and truth is what we many of us have not known.
did receive." This involves a man in his higher
I call to your attention these words: nature, too, in the realm of his free
"Truth was what we wanted and would agency to do as he will.
have." Nothing could change that. This generation of youth and we par-
Their lives were a witness to what they ents will find the key which opens the
"would have" for in spite of persecu- door to the solution of its problems by
tion, loss of property —several times in the practice of this simple but potent
succession —the truth they found they —
word determination. Without it the
"would have" —in spite of all obstacles. gospel will not affect us very much.
In explaining the principle of the The past generations to which we
second comforter, the Prophet Joseph point with solemn pride were deter-
Smith said these words: ". After a
. .
mined to stand pure before the Lord.
person has faith in Christ, repents of Each generation must in its turn show
his sins, and is baptized for the remis- equal determination if it is to be ac-
sion of his sins and receives the Holy cepted. Our present generation, young
Ghost, (by the laying on of hands) and old, is now making this choice. I

which is the first Comforter, then let him pray that we may be determined in
continue to humble himself before God, our turn to obey the commandments
hungering and thirsting after righteous- and to teach each of our children, one
ness, and living by every word of God, by one, each commandment, both by
and the Lord will soon say unto him, precept and example, and to stand true
Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the to the prophet of our generation, con-
Lord has thoroughly proved him and cerning whom I bear witness that he is
finds that the man is determined to a prophet. I also bear witness to the
serve him at all hazards, then the man fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is our
will find his calling and his election Savior and has given us his gospel to
made sure, then it will be his privilege see if we will obey it. May the Lord
to receive the other Comforter. . .
." help us to do it I pray in his name.
(DHC 3, 380.) Amen.
I callyour attention the words "he
to
finds that a man is determined to serve
President David O. McKay:
him at all hazards." That is the word, Elder S. Dilworth Young has just
and that is what we need today de- — spoken to us. Elder Henry D. Taylor,
—
termination voluntary determination to Assistant to the Twelve, will be our
serve him at all hazards. This is the concluding speaker.

ELDER HENRY D. TAYLOR

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

About two weeks ago a great and good
man, who had completed his mission
here on the earth, was called "home"
by our Heavenly Father. Tributes were
paid to President Moyle by his asso-
ciates, recounting his many acts of de-
votion, generosity, and service to God
and his fellow men. President McKay
in his eulogy remarked: "Measured by
the standards of true nobility, President
Henry D. Moyle was truly a great man."
The scholar Carlyle once observed:
"The history of this world is written
in the lives of its great men." pay
honor and respect to men and women
whom we consider to be great by ob-
serving the anniversaries of their birth,
by erecting monuments and statues to
their memory, by visiting their tombs
and laying wreaths thereon, and by
engraving their names on stones and
sepulchers. But more important still
is the manner in which they linger and
live in our memories; how well we
remember their teachings and the way
they have influenced our lives for good.
Well might we ask the question:
We "What made these men or women
70 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5
great? What constitutes greatness?"
The Greek philosopher Pericles, many
centuries ago, pondered this problem
and finally arrived at the conclusion
that: "Men who are longest remem-
bered, and whose memories are most
highly revered, are not those who made
the most money, but those whose
hearts were gentle, whose sympathies
were broad, and who best served
humanity."
We are often prone to judge men
hastily and to consider them great if
they accumulate or amass a substantial
amount of wealth. Ofttimes during this
acquiring process, such men become
self-centered and lose sight of things
spiritual and neglect opportunities
help others.
The Lord, who is aware of the weak-
nesses of men, sounded a note of warn-
ing against these tendencies when he
questioned: "For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world, and
lose his own soul? ." (Matt. 16:26.)
. .
Then later he proclaimed: "Behold,
there are many called, but few are
chosen. .
." (D&C 121:34.)
. He then
explained why they are not chosen,
giving this reason: "Because their hearts
are set so much upon the things of this
world, .
." (Ibid., 121:35.)
. fully. Later he was elected to a more
The possession of wealth and the
things of this world are not objection-
able if used for righteous purposes. The
ancient Prophet Jacob made it clear
when he gave this sage counsel on the
proper use of wealth:
"But before ye seek for riches, seek
ye for the kingdom of God.
"And after ye have obtained a hope
in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye
seek them; and ye will seek them for
the intent to do good —
to clothe the
naked, and to feed the hungry, and to
liberate the captive, and administer
relief to the sick and the afflicted."
(Jacob 2:18-19.) In a word, to assist
fellow men and to serve God.
While we realize that wealth cannot
buy happiness nor eternal life, one has
humorously suggested: "Money may not
bring happiness, but it can surely make
being in misery a lot more enjoyable."
To work and to earn a comfortable liv-
ing is important. Latter-day Saints are
Second Day
taught that everyone, insofar as possible,
should be self-supporting, maintaining
his own economic independence, and
looking to no one but himself for as-
sistance. A man also has the responsi-
bility of providing for his family. To
earn a livelihood and at the same time
live within one's income become both
a challenge and a goal.
But while doing these important
things, does man have no responsibility
to his neighbor or to God? Can he not
provide for his family and at the same
time serve his fellow men?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints composed of lay members.
is
The and workers are called from
leaders
to the ranks. Every single member is a
potential leader, and every day through-
out the Church certain individuals are
called and chosen to fill positions of
importance. In accepting these callings
they are recognizing the words of the
Savior, when he said: "He that is great-
est among you shall be your servant."
(Matt. 23:11.)
This attitude of humility was evi-
denced by a former Vice-President of
the United States who rose to great
heights of prominence, even aspiring to
become President, although unsuccess-
humble office as a junior Senator from
his home state. In accordance with
Senate protocol, he took his seat on the
rear row. His associates and fellow
Senators, over whom he had presided,
offered him, out of love and respect, a
desk on the front row. He modestly
declined, uttering this classic statement:
"I am willing to be a junior and sit on
the back row, for I had rather be a
servant in the house of the Lord, than
sit in the seats of the Mighty."
It is interesting to note the varying
ways in which individuals respond to
calls made of them. When the Lord
told Moses that he was the one chosen
to become the leader of Israel and was
to lead his people out of captivity and
bondage, Moses was startled and began
to offer one alibi and excuse after an-
other, stating that his people would not
believe that he was the one that had
been called to become their leader. The
Lord gave him many assurances, but
 ELDER HENRY D. TAYLOR 71

Moses was doubtful, and finally

still some is given another, that all may be
said, "O my
Lord, I am not eloquent profited thereby. (D&C 46:12.)
. .but I am slow of speech, and of a
. "And all these gifts come from God,
slow tongue." (Exod. 4:10.) Noting for the benefit of the children of God."
his reluctance after the many promises (Ibid., 46:26.)
and assurances given, the anger of the Now it was intended that these gifts

Lord was kindled against Moses, and and talents should be shared with
he was instructed to call Aaron, his others, for the purpose of rendering serv-
brother, to assist and serve as his ice to fellow men and making their
spokesman. lives happier. Every week the Taber-
During the Savior's ministry upon the nacle Choir and uplifts
thrills, inspires,
earth, he thrilled and uplifted those with beautiful music,
us, their listeners,
who listened to his teachings. Many just as this chorustoday has thrilled us.
had a desire to follow and hear more Many of not blessed with
us are
of his inspired utterances. One disciple musical talents, but there are other
expressed his intention of following and gifts that we do possess, and other serv-
gaining more information, but made the ices that we can render. The poet,
request: ". Lord, suffer me first to go
. . Edward Everett Hale, aptly expressed
and bury my father." This would seem this thought:
to be a reasonable request. But Jesus
answered and said unto him: "Fol- "I am only one,
low me. Let the dead bury
. . . their But still I am one.
dead." (Luke 9:59-60.) I cannot do everything,
In contrast to these instances of hesi- But still I can do something;

tation and lukewarmness it is refreshing And because I cannot do everything

to note how some of the apostles re- I will not refuse to do the something

sponded to the calls Jesus made of them. that I can do."

The Savior, while ". walking by the . .

sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon There is a joy that comes from work-
called Peter, and Andrew his brother, ing and rendering service in the Church
casting a net into the sea: for they were and in being a servant to our fellow
fishers. men. King Benjamin taught: ". when . .

"And he saith unto them, Follow me, ye are in the service of your fellow
and I will make you fishers of men. beings ye are only in the service of
"And they straightway left their nets, your God." (Mosiah 2:17.)
and followed him." (Matt. 4:18-20.) To every faithful member of the
Here there were no questions asked, no Church will come opportunities to serve
alibis offered, no arguments given. in some capacity, for the need for
Going on a little farther, the Savior service in the fields of missionary work,
saw two other men, James and John, temples, home teaching, instructing
who were also fishermen. They were classes, choirs, and musical groups, work
assisting their father Zebedee in mend- on welfare projects, administrative posi-
ing their nets. When he called them, tions, and many other activities, still
they immediately and without hesitation remains great.
left their ship and their father and fol- If we would meet the Savior's stand-

lowed Jesus. (See ibid., 4:21-22.) Were ard for greatness, we will readily and
they not filled with the spirit of obedi- humbly accept the callings that come
ence and service? and become servants in the house of the
As calls come to us for church service Lord, remembering that "He gives best
by the Lord's representatives, it is
who serves most." Then we may rest
assured that if we do our best, the Lord
natural for us to wonder why we have will do the rest.
been selected. The Lord has made it I testify from personal experience that
plain that every individual has been joy and happiness have come to me
blessed and endowed with certain gifts through opportunities to serve in build-
and talents. And while there are many ing up God's kingdom here upon the
gifts, yet "To some is given one, and to earth, and I humbly pray that this
72 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5
same joy and happiness can come to
every member of the Church, all of
which I humbly pray for in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
President David O. McKay:
Elder Henry D. Taylor, Assistant to
the Twelve, has been our concluding
speaker.
The Brigham Young University Cho-
rale will now sing, "Hallelujah, Amen,"
conducted by Kurt Weinzinger.
The benediction will be offered by
Elder Grant K. Patten, president of the
Missoula Stake, after which this con-
ference will then be adjourned until
seven o'clock this evening when the gen-
eral meeting of the Priesthood of the
Church will be held in the Salt Lake
Tabernacle. Only those holding the
priesthood are invited to be present.
Persons not holding the priesthood will
please refrain from attempting to enter
the building. This Priesthood Meeting
will not be broadcast publicly. How-
ever, in addition to the overflow meeting
in the Assembly Hall the proceedings
of the Priesthood Meeting will be re-
layed by closed circuit broadcast orig-
inating in the Tabernacle to members
of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priest-
hood assembled in 370 separate locations
in all parts of the United States, includ-
ing Alaska and Canada. It is estimated
that approximately 12,000 holders of the
priesthood will be on Temple Square
and more than 70,000 others will gather
in other locations from coast to coast.
The Sunday morning session will be
broadcast by manv radio and television
stations in the West, and short-waved
to millions over Station WRUL,beamed
by five transmitters at Boston, to Europe,
South America, Central America, Africa,
and parts of Asia. For the second time
the General Conference will be televised
by Canadian stations from the Salt Lake
Tabernacle. The cooperating Canadian
stations will be serviced by the CTV
network, which will take the Sunday
morning session and transmit it across
Canada. We thank and express appre-
ciation to our Canadian broadcasting
friends for their cooperation.
Both sessions of our Conference today
Second Day
will be rebroadcast over 50,000 watt
clear channel KSL radio early tomorrow
morning starting at one o'clock, and will
be heard in many parts of the United
States, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, and
the Islands of the Pacific.
The CBS Radio Network Tabernacle
Choir Broadcast tomorrow morning will
be from 8:35 to 9:00 a.m. Those desiring
to attend this broadcast must be in their
seats no later than 8:15 a.m. Elder
Gordon B. Hinckley of the Council of
the Twelve will be the speaker on the
Church of the Air Broadcast on CBS
Radio tomorrow morning at 7:35 o'clock.
There will be large crowds attending
the services on Sunday, and we ask you
please to be courteous and gracious at
all times —
when dnVng your automo-
biles, and when standing at the entrance
to the Tabernacle.
The sinking for this session ha"; been
furnished by the Brigham Young Uni-
versity Chorale w'th Kurt Weinz :
n<"pr
conducting, and Rov M. Darley at the
organ. I am sure this great gathering
in the Tabernacle and our radio and
television audience would wish me to
express for them our heartfelt apprecia-
tion for the excellent ringing this group
of voung Brigham Young University
students have rendered for us this after-
noon. It is good iust to have them with
us, especially to have them sing *o well.
It is good to have young people. You
can't ge+ too old not to em'oy their com-
pany. I speak from experience.
"How beautiful is youth! How bright it
gleams
With its illusions, aspirations, dreams!
Book of Beginnings, story without End,
Each ma ; d a heroine, and each man
a friend!" (Longfellow)
We thank you very much.
We also exnress appreciation to the
members of the Tabernacie Choir, to
Richard P. Condie, conductor, and
Alexander Schreiner, organist, for the
glor'ous mu<;ic rendered by them on the
broadcast this morning!
The Brigham Young University Chor-
ale will now sing "Hallelujah, Amen."
The benediction will be offered by Elder
Grant K. Patten, president of the Mis-
soula Stake, and this Conference will
 BROTHER DAVID CRAGUN 73

be adjourned until seven o'clock this The closing prayer was offered by
evening.
Elder Grant K. Patten, president of the
The Brigham Young University Cho- Missoula Stake.
rale sang the anthem, "Hallelujah,
Amen." Conference adjourned until 7:00 p.m.

GENERAL PRIESTHOOD MEETING

The General Priesthood Meeting of
the Church convened in the Tabernacle
at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 1963
with President David O. McKay pre-
siding and conducting the services.
The Men of the Tabernacle Choir
furnished the choral music for this
meeting. Elder Richard P. Condie was
the conductor; Alexander Schreiner was
at the organ console.
Condie conducting.
After the singing Elder Glen P. Um-
berger, president of the Salt Lake Stake,
will offer the invocation.
The Men Of The Tabernacle Choir
sang the hymn, "The Spirit Of God
Like A Fire Is Burning."
Elder Glen P. Umberger, president of
the Salt Lake Stake offered the in-
vocation.

President David O. McKay:

President David O. McKay:
This
is the General Priesthood Session
The men of the Tabernacle Choir
of the 133rd Semi-Annual Conference will now favor us with, "Thou Wilt
of the Church. You will be interested
Keep Him in Perfect Peace," directed
to know that these services are being
by Elder Richard P. Condie.
relayed by closed circuit wire to mem-
bers of the Priesthood gathered in the The Men of the Tabernacle Choir
Assembly Hall and in 370 other separate sang "Thou Wilt Keep Him In Perfect
gatherings from coast to coast, in Alaska Peace."
and Canada. It is estimated that 70,000
will participate in this meeting by direct President David O. McKay:
wire. This does not include those in
this building nor in the Assembly Hall. The dominating theme of this Priest-
The singing during this session will hood Meeting, particularly the first part
be furnished by the men of the Taber- of will be "Self Control."
it, have We
nacle Choir with Richard P. Condie as asked two young priests to speak on that
conductor and Alexander Schreiner at subject. Our first speaker will be
the organ. We
shall begin these services Brother David Cragun, a young priest
by the Chorus singing "The Spirit of of the Pleasant View Ward, Ben
God Like a Fire is Burning," Brother Lomond Stake.

DAVID CRAGUN
Priest, Pleasant View Ward, Ben Lomond Stake

Dear Brethren: A week ago this Lord will bless and strengthen me with
morning the voice of President McKay this most humbling experience.
came into my room, by telephone, re-
questing that I appear here and represent I —
tremble but I'm not afraid. I
the youth of the Church. This is the most —
stand here a priest representing thou-
cherished moment of my life, for the sands of young men of the Church who
prophet to speak to me. I pray that the bear the Aaronic Priesthood. love We

74 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5
the Church; we want to do right; we
hope to prepare ourselves for service to
others.
Since all normal boys want to be
doing things, we constantly face two
magic words that every boy must know.
—
They are Self-Control. These were the
words that proved to be a challenge to
Father Adam. They have been a chal-
lenge to all his posterity ever since.
smartest boys and girls since the be-
—
ginning of time in every dispensation,
are those who have appreciated and re-
spected the meaning of these two magic
—
words early in life Self-Control. Long
ago King Solomon pleaded with his son
to hear the instruction of his father,
and to forsake not the law of his mother,
to get wisdom and understanding. Solo-
mon knew the might of man's will,
when he "He that is slow to anger
said,
is better than the mighty; and he that
ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh
a city."
Self-Control. I hold the priesthood.
I am a priest. How well these must go
together. As a child of God I must be
sure to develop personal self-control,
and be able to stand by my own deci-
sions. I do not want regrets. I do not
want tears. Repentance is a God-given
principle and so important to all, but
it's so often associated with regrets and
tears.
As I grow up and struggle for more
independence, others do not know ex-
actly what I may be thinking. I alone
hold the key to thoughts which are
mine, when I am with others, alone, in
Church, at a football game, in the great
outdoors, at a dance, in a movie. Yet,
am I really alone? Is a priest alone
when he has prayed for strength, lived
the commandments, listened to the
whispering of the spirit, been obedient
to his parents? Followed and respected
the leadership of the Church?
I know that Satan tempts priests. He
never misses a chance to ride our backs
and whisper in our ears. His tricks are
numerous. His tools fit our emotions,
tastes and passions, and are
popular and what everyone does.
This is when the magic words must
ring in my ears, shine in my
am a priest. I want a mission.
—
Second Day
celestial blessings. I want happiness.
Thanks for "self-control."
Thanks, President McKay, for re-
minding us so many times that the Lord
has intended that every man have hap-
piness. Thanks, Brethren, for your
words of wisdom. I have heard you
say that times change but good and
evil do not. Beware, our young people,
The for times may have changed but the
commandments of God haven't and —
neither have the consequences for dis-
regarding them. The Lord has made it
clear that blessings are based upon
obedience. "I am bound when ye do
what I say, but when ye do not what
I say, ye have no promise."
The philosophy of this great Church
endorses education and knowledge as
powerful instruments, but we also
hasten to recognize that the chain with
which we can bind Satan must be
spiritual. A spiritual chain is necessary
because Satan has no body. The strong-
est link in that spiritual chain is "Self-
Control."
Our life's mission calls for us to
hearken unto the Lord and turn from
—
temptation and sin to conquer self
to prove and improve ourselves, to serve
others. Do we hearken, when we are
slow to resolve the questions of liquor,
honesty, tobacco, Church attendance,
partaking of the Sacrament worthily, a
full tithe? A young fellow who knows
and acts not what he knows is like the
man who plows and plows, but never
sows.
Flave we resolved a firm position for
ourselves concerning friends we choose,
girls we date, the risks of petting? Life
is a dress rehearsal for eternity and we
will play the part we have rehearsed,
for no one is born into the world whose
work is not born with him. So when
the final curtain is drawn we still see
ourselves as we know ourselves to be
the maker and judge of our own records.
I'm so grateful that both my mother
and father have placed the Church first
in their lives, that they and all my
grandparents never forgot why the
labeled saints, including my ancestors, with-
stood so many heartaches —stood firm
to the law of all laws —the Gospel of
eyes. I Jesus Christ — and came to Zion. I'm
I want grateful for the wonderful leadership in
 BROTHER MATTHEW SIMMONS 75

the Ben Lomond Stake. Ever since I
was a deacon I know that each Sunday
evening when the Sabbath is drawing
to a close that every bishop in our stake
confers by telephone with the stake
presidency and reports to them on the
activity of each and every young man
and woman in his ward, and the con-
tacts made in their behalf. I'm sure
that this special interest in us has influ-
enced now the lives of the youth in
our stake.
My ideal is my brother Brent who is
a missionary in the French East Mission.
All of my life I have wanted a mission
too. I want to be worthy and ready
next April when I become nineteen.
My thoughts and actions must be firmly
disciplined. Full Church activity, study,
prayer, a full tithe and love for building
the Kingdom will strengthen my testi-
mony. It is surely safe to predict that
the future quorum leaders, missionaries,
bishops, high councilmen, stake presi-
dents and General Authorities are boys
of today. Boys will be boys, but we
cannot overlook the fact that boys of
today will be men of tomorrow.
likewise safe to say that the great leaders
of the future must firsthave developed
within themselves a full measure of
"self-control." If these preparatory re-
quirements are not for me and all
priests, then who are they for? And if
we priests do not prepare for them now,
then when?
Fellow members of the Aaronic
Priesthood, the time is here and now
for us to develop a safe measure of self-
control, to lay foundations for our eter-
nal happiness. I trust that every young
man bearing the Aaronic Priesthood will
pray for moral strength and spiritual
guidance, for parents and leaders who
will stay close to us and give us direc-
tion and encouragement. testimony My
is strong. I know the story of this great
Church is true. I know that God, our
Father, stands at the head; that you,
President McKay, you are the Lord's
agent and prophet holding the keys of
authority. The young men of my age
sustain you, and all our wonderful
leaders. Now we also pledge ourselves
to the building of the Kingdom, in the
name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
President David O. McKay:
It is Brother Matthew Simmons, a young
priest the University Sixth Ward,
of
University Stake, will be our next
speaker.

MATTHEW SIMMONS
Priest, University Sixth Ward, University Stake

"And when they were come to the spoke that leads to eternal perfection.
place which is called Calvary, there This spoke is marked well its guide- —
they crucified Him, and the malefac- post is self-control.
tors, one on the right hand and one on To
the rest of the world, self-control
the left. Then said Jesus, Father, for- is the key to building a stronger char-

give them, for they know not what they —

acter to a Latter-day Saint it is the way
do." (Luke 23:33-34.) to salvation. We
have approximately
In these simple words is given one of 70 years on the earth to determine what
the most impressive examples of self- degree of exaltation we shall receive for
control in human history. The Savior's eons upon eons to come. we areWhen
mind was occupied with the most im- placed on the earth, every one of us is
portant issues at stake and not with the spotless. We have no faults. Then we
personal mistreatment he was receiving. are baptized, and after this point we
We were put on the Earth for a test- are held accountable for our every ac-
ing period. We were given free agency. tion. From this point forward, we have
Just as a hub is at the center of a wheel to use the utmost restraint in every deed
and spokes radiate out in every direction, in order to follow the path to eternal
so does free agency place us in a hub. perfection. The Master gave us the di-
We can move any way we desire. But rection to this path when He said,
going from this hub, there is only one "Enter ye in at the strait gate because
 —

76 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

strait isthe gate and narrow is the way leader, the father of our nation is

that leadeth unto life and few there no more."

be that find it."
We as priesthood bearers have the
additional responsibility to discipline
ourselves because the foundation of the
Church rests upon us. I think the poem
of Carl Sandberg portrays the warning
of the lack of discipline when he said,
"It has happened before,
Strong men put up a city and got nations
together
And paid singers to sing and
warble:
We are the greatest city; the greatest
nation;
Nothing like us ever was.
And while the singers sang
strong men listened
And paid the singers well,
There were rats and lizards
And the only listeners left
Are the rats . . . and the
Wehave the only Church we have
the only priesthood, but it happened
before, and if we pay our singers to sing
and our women to warble and we as
priesthood holders aren't upholding our
priesthood, the rats and the lizards of
Sandberg's poem will be working. The
world asks more of us than it does the
average man. We
are being watched
we are being looked to for leadership,
leadership to Eternal Life. can't
afford to let down our standards.
Wehave the very same cravings, the
same appetites, the same urges as do
other men, but we must learn to disci-
pline ourselves. We
must learn to stand
up in the storm, but to have compassion
on those who fall, to master ourselves
before we master others; to have a heart
that is clean, a goal that is high; to
learn to laugh yet never forget how to
weep; to reach into the future, yet never
take ourselves too seriously; to be humble
so that we will remember the simplicity
of true greatness.
Mahatma Ghandi said,
control others I cannot control my-
if
self?" And then so controlled himself
that when he died, Prime Minister
Restraint can bring with it strength.
This strength is a quiet courage that
needs no trumpets to announce its com-
ing. There is an old saying: "If one
man conquers in battle a thousand
times a thousand, and if another con-
quers himself, he is the greatest of
conquerors." In the book of Proverbs it
says, "He that ruleth his spirit is better
than he that taketh a city."
women to
I am
a priest in the Aaronic Priest-
hood. From this point on in life, self-
control needs to be more than a princi-
ple for me to speak about. From this
point forward, it needs to be a way of
and the life —
a guidepost through which I can
go to find the Celestial Kingdom. I am
. . .
on the threshold of life. I have very
definite goals which I want to accom-
who worked
plish, but I'm reaching the point where
now
this takes discipline and control. This is
. . . lizards."
a minute by minute thing. as We
— holders of the priesthood can't put this
off any longer. You can't walk south,
or even east or west if you want to go
north. "He who picks up one end of
the stick also picks the other."
The prisoner in Sing Sing surely
didn't plan to go there; he merely waited
just a little too long to start curbing
his appetites and desires or he practiced
control on the easy habits to break, but
the hard ones he decided to wait on.
We How did he know when he had crossed
that fine line over which he couldn't
turn back. How
can anyone know when
they have crossed this line? When they
smoke that extra day and never stop
after that, or take that extra drink be-
cause they are sure that they are going
to be quitting tomorrow.
How many times have we said to
ourselves, "I know I won't have this
habit later on in life; I'm just getting
it out of mysystem now." It's too late in
our lives to be experimenting. have We
to decide right now that we can master
"How can I ourselves completely. It will be hard,
but everything that is worth having is
hard to get. The coach of one of our
great college football teams used to tell

Nehru went on the radio and said, "The his men, "When the going gets tough,
light has gone out of our lives and there the tough get going!" At times it will
is darkness everywhere, for our beloved get tough, terribly tough. This life of
 —

ELDER STERLING W. SILL 77

ours is a championship game; we're up Whether you'll lead or will linger be-
against a rugged opponent his forces — hind
are laziness, procrastination, disappoint- Whether you'll try for the goal that's
ment. There are no time outs in this afar,
game; every minute counts. Every action Or just be content to stay where you
is recorded in the score book and the are."
final score oE this game will be with us —Edgar A. Guest.
through eternity.
A lifetime, 70 years, a long time? Not I know that we can all restrain our-
really, when you consider the centuries selves. I know this just as assuredly as I
upon centuries of what will follow this know that this Church is the Gospel of
life. Seventy short years in which to Jesus Christ and that we have here to-
prove ourselves. This makes self-control night prophets and leaders, sustained by
pretty important, doesn't it? God, that David O. McKay is a divinely
Joan of Arc, as she was put to death inspired prophet of God.
by fire at the age of 19 because she Restraint at times will be hard, and
wouldn't deny what she believed in, at times we will be discouraged. Even
said, "One life is all that we have. We Christ, as He was on the cross, for a
live it as we believe in living it and minute was overcome with horrible pain
then it is gone. But to surrender what and torment, and cried out, "My God,
you are and without belief is
to live my God, Why
hast thou forsaken me?"
more terrible than dying even dying — But this too will pass, and if we
young." If we fail to control ourselves, struggle, if we toil, if we pray, we can
we fail to live our lives as we believe we reach that point at which our lives be-
should, and this is more terrible than come that which dwells in the ocean
dying young. of Truth, beneath the waves, beyond the
Once we have begun to master our- reach of tempests, in the Eternal Calm!
selves, to discipline our bodies, to curb "God give me the serenity to accept
our habits, then we are on our way. the things I cannot change, the courage
How wonderful it would be to have to change the things I can, and the
completely controlled ourselves so that wisdom to know the difference."
we could wake up each morning and Predicated upon the principles of
look at ourselves and say, "I have 100 discipline, restraint, control, forever
per cent self-control. I have no prob- shall we reign, kings and pries+ s to the
lems. I can overcome anything!" We Most High, redeemed, sanctified, and
can do this. God has given every one exalted through our Lord and God, Jesus
of us the ability to practice restraint. the Christ. Amen.
Some of us have never gotten around
to trying it. President David O. McKay:
"You are the person who has to decide Tho^e two young men represent over
Whether you'll do it or toss it aside. . . . 100,000. God bless them. Elder Sterling
You are the person who makes up your W. Sill,Assistant to the Twelve, will
mind now speak to us.

ELDER STERLING W. SILL

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brethren, I appreciate this privilege One of the most inspiring messages

of having a part with you in tbe gen- in all sacred scripture is the story of
eral priesthood conference of the Church. the sixth day of creation when God made
I have been greatly stimulated as I am man in his own image. He also endowed
sure you have by the messages of these him with a set of his own attributes.
fine young men who have talked to us so Then, as the very climax of creation,
interestingly about the importance of God gave man dominion over everything
controlling our own lives. upon the earth, including himself. The
78 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

dictionary says that "dominion" means
control or the power to govern. The
most important part of the dominion
given to man was self-dominion. In all
of creation, it was only to man that God
said, ". . thou mayest choose for thy-
. given dominion, our emotions must be
self " (Moses 3:17.)
On one occasion Joseph Smith was
asked to explain the unusual harmony
existing among his large
of
church members, though they differed
so greatly in background, nationality,
and experience. The Prophet replied,
"I teach the people correct principles
and they govern themselves." (Cited by
John Taylor, JD 10:57-58.)
One of the most important parts of
real religion is to qualify ourselves to
govern our own lives effectively
righteously. Someone has said, "He
that would move the world, must first
move himself." We talk a great deal
about the fact thatwe have been given
the priesthood. The priesthood is the
authority to act in the name of the
Lord. But by itself that is not enough.
We must also develop the "ability" to
act in the name of the Lord.
thority can never be of very great
consequence without the ability. That
is, how much benefit would be derived
from having the authority to make con-
verts without the ability to make
converts.
The most inspiring thing about the
life of Jesus was not his ability to quiet
the storm or control the tempest, but
his absolute control of himself. The
ments of God. This same misuse of our
powers frequently gives our fears, our
doubts, our prejudices, our hates, and
our sex impulses the control of our lives.
Before we can be successful in our God-
brought under the direction of the spirit.
St. Augustine said, "Wouldst thou
have thy flesh obey thy spirit? Then
group have thy spirit obey thy God. Thou must
be governed, if thou wouldst govern."
And only when we properly govern
ourselves according to what is right,
can we escape the destructive rule of
our moods and appetites.
Sir Walter Raleigh said, "A man must
first govern himself, ere he be fit to
govern a family; and his family, ere he
and is fit to bear the government in the
commonwealth."
Each of us has been given a mag-
nificent instrument called a brain,
which was intended to play a much
more prominent part in our religious
life than it sometimes does. The brain,
not the feelings or the passions, was
designated by God to be the presiding
The au- officer of the personality. And when
we honor the authority of the mind,
we become masters instead of slaves.
A. Bertha Kleinman has written the
following verse about self-mastery.
SELF-MASTERY
"What tho I conquer my enemies,
And lay up store and pelf,
I am a conqueror poor indeed,

Master did not need to make a single Till I subdue myself.

mistake in order to find out that it was
wrong. We
have developed a fairly "What tho I read and learn by heart
good control over some of our body
Whole books while I am young,
I am a linguist in disgrace,
members; for example, I have great au-
thority over my finger. If I tell it to
Who cannot guard my tongue.

bend, it bends. If I tell it to unbend, "What tho on campus I excel

it unbends. If I give my feet an order, A champ in meet and fight
they obey immediately, and we will If trained efficient still I can't
have succeeded in our religious responsi- Control an appetite.
bility when we get that same kind of
control over our thoughts, our emotions, "What tho exemptions write my name
our tongues, our industry, our faith, and High on the honor roll
our desire to serve God. Some of us have Electives, solids fail me if

mistrained our appetites to a point where I learn no self-control.

we tend to "think" with our stomachs; "And tho I graduate and soar
that is, our appetites frequently have And life is good to me,
more influence in directing our lives My heart shall write me failure till

than our reason or even the command- I learn self-mastery."

 ELDER STERLING W. SILL 79

Our human nature of an

is made up thority to officiate in all of the princi-
interesting duality, which Jesus re- plesand ordinances of the gospel having
ferred to as the spirit and the flesh, to do with the celestial kingdom. But
and most of us permit a constant con- no great message is ever delivered
flict rage between the two.
to Plato without a great messenger. Inasmuch
refers to this duality as an upper soul as the professional approach to any
and a lower soul. He describes the accomplishment is first to isolate the
lower soul as the dwelling place of problem, I said to the missionaries,
weakness, sin, and appetite, whereas the "Before I can be of much help to you,
upper soul is the residence of the intel- I need to know what your problems
lect; it is the headquarters of reason are. Will each of you tell me in one
and the operational base of judgment word why you're not ten times as effec-
and righteousness. On
this battle ground tive as you are?"
the fate of each of us is being decided As the answers were given, we wrote
daily. Each individual is tending to- them on the blackboard. However,
ward his natural status of king or slave. when we analyzed them we found that
As we overcome the unworthy elements every single one of them had to do
within ourselves, we become masters, with the "messenger," none of them
capable of ruling our lives in wisdom was about the message. I said to them,
with righteous power. As we surrender "I'm going back to church headquarters
to our appetites, we become slaves. The in the morning, and I would like to be
alcoholic, the immoral, the dishonest, able to report what's wrong with the
the profane, and the idle are losing the message." But no one had any complaint
battle to the lower soul by allow- with the message. Their only problems
ing themselves too many lower soul involved changing the messenger.
experiences. One missionary said, "I can't be a
The one business of life is to succeed, good missionary because I am not
and one of our greatest Christian duties friendly."
is to organize and supervise ourselves I said, 'What do you mean?"
for righteous accomplishment. We He said, "Well, my companion loves
must be more successful in disciplining everyone, and everyone loves him. Our
the mind and training the will. Some- contacts all gather around him, but
one has pointed out that "planning" is because I am not that kind of a person
the place where man shows himself I am left by myself."
most like God. Who could be more I said, "Would you show me what
Godlike than one who intelligently you mean by going down this aisle and
plans his own life? He is the one who shaking hands with these people the
blueprints accomplishment and builds way you ordinarily do it?"
the roadway of success. The highest In complying he did his usual unim-
paid man
in the army is the general. pressive job. Then I said to him, "Now,
He the one who "thinks" and "plans"
is will you go down this other aisle and
for the army. But each of us is the shake hands with these other people the
general of his own life, and each is way your companion does it?"
also his own soldier. As generals, our Then he squared his shoulders, got a
job is to work out a better program for little different look in his eye and a
ourselves as soldiers, and the more skil- little different tension in his muscles as
ful we are as generals, the more suc- he demonstrate to me how his
tried to
cessful we will be as soldiers. companion did it. He seemed to be an
Sometime ago I spent a few hours immediate success while following the
with a group of missionaries. We were example of his companion. I told him
discussing missionary work under the about the famous "As If" principle of
two great headings of the "message" William James. Mr. James said if
and the "messenger." We are halfway you want to have a quality act "As If"
to success when we understand the tre- you already had it. If you want to be
mendous importance of the message friendly, act "As If" you are already
that the gospel of Jesus Christ has again friendly. How long does it take one
been restored to the earth with the au- to learn to be friendly? It takes just
80 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

one-quarter of a second, just long sage" because we have exhausted our

enough to make up your mind
tise the "As If" principle. If you want
to be brave, act "As If" you were already
brave, don't go around telling everyone
how scared and weak you are. It
axiom of the theater that each
should live his part.
Onone occasion Theodore Roosevelt
was decorating one of his generals for
bravery. He said, "This is the bravest
man that I have ever seen." He said,
"He walked right behind me all the
way up San Juan Hill." Theodore
Roosevelt was a sickly child. He began
life asa weakling, not expected to live;
but he trained himself to think courage,
strength, health,and vitality, and that
iswhat he got. One of the things that
frightens me most as I go about a little
bit is to hear so many people talking
weakness, failure, and sin. The most
widespread disease in the world is the
inferiority complex. And when we think
inferiority, that is what we get.
missionary described his problem by
saying, "I can't concentrate." I said,
"What do you plan doing about it?"
He said, "There's nothing I can do; I
just can't concentrate." One of our
most unfortunate weaknesses is that
we sometimes think we are under sen-
tence to remain forever as we presently
are. Yet one of the most exciting ideas
in life is the possibility of changing
ourselves for the better.
William James said, "The
discovery of my generation is
can change our circumstances by chang-
ing our attitudes of mind." A lot of
people want to change their circum-
to prac- strength struggling with the messenger.
So know almost every problem
far as I
that holds us back involves a misuse
of this God-given dominion. Certainly
is the we need a better mastery of the mes-
actor sage, but we also have a lot more work
to do on the messenger.
Solomon said, "With all thy getting,
getwisdom." (See Prov. 4:7.) And then
someone that must have been much
wiser than Solomon said, "With all
thy getting, get going." George Bernard
Shaw touched our problem when he
said that the primary occupation of life
is taking a mob of appetites, and organ-
izing them into an army of purposes
and ambitions.
It is a very significant point of view
that every human being has been given
two creators. One is God, and the other
is himself. That is, the creation of
man is not something that was finished
and done with in the Garden of Eden.
Another The creation of man is still going on.
It is taking place today, and it took
place last week, and it will take place
next month, and you are the creator.
That is, you are currently creating the
enthusiasms and the industry and the
courage and the faith that will deter-
mine what your lives will be throughout
eternity. Someone has asked this interest-
ing question: "How would, you like to
create your own mind?" But isn't that
exactly what everyone does?
greatest William James said, "The mind is
that we made up by what it feeds upon." The
mind becomes what God intended it
should be, only when it is fed on
enough upper soul experiences. It has

stances, but few are willing to change been said that "the mind like the dvcr's
themselves. It is very interesting, hand, is colored by what it holds."
however, that the problem that these That is, if I hold in my hand a sponge
missionaries seemed to have the most full of purple dye, my hand becomes
difficulty with, was that of getting the purple, and if I hold in my mind and
beds off their backs in the morning. I heart great ideas of honor, righteous-
brought away a mental picture timed at and the love of truth, my
ness, industry,
6:00 am snowing these missionaries whole personality is colored accordingly.
pulling and struggling trying to get up, And our self-dominion is made more
with the mattress being successful in effective when we make love to the
holding them down. Isn't it ridiculous right kind of ideas, and refuse all lower
that we sometimes live through an en- soul experiences. While Cain was train-

tire lifetime and never learn to get up ing himself to ". . love Satan more
.

in the morning? The Church is now than God . .

." (Moses 5:18), he was
133 years and some of us have
old, giving dominion to his lower soul. This
barely made a start in living the "mes- is a process that many frequently fol-
 ELDER STERLING W. SILL
low. Sometime ago a young man dis-
cussed with me an improper marriage
which he was contemplating. I asked
him why. He said he was in
But love alone is an insufficient basis
for marriage. Anyone can fall in love
with anything. Many people have
fallen in love with idleness, profanity,
adultery, and drunkenness. Cain fell
in love with Satan.
A
chain smoker was recently ordered
by his doctor to give up smoking. He
had fallen in love with cigarets, and
he felt very sorry for himself that he
was now being forced to give up his
bad habit. He said, "What good could
it possibly do me to quit smoking when
I have to stand over myself like a
policeman with a club, ordering myself
to do something that I don't want to
do?" It is pretty difficult to force our-
selves to be decent or successful while
we are in love with sin and failure.
There is a lower soul psychology that
says that the way to develop the per-
sonality is to give expression to our
desires. It says that parents should not
say "no" to their children because of
the possibility of dwarfing their per-
sonalities. If a child feels like slamming
the door, he should slam it. If he feels
like sowing some wild oats, he should
sow them. It says that desires should
be expressed, otherwise the child's
growth may be inhibited and his per-
sonality distorted. This philosophy has
made a great contribution to our up-
surge in juvenile and adult delinquency.
We might bring some upper soul
philosophy to bear on this point by a
review of the Ten Commandments.
a prominent minister recently said that
the Ten Commandments should no
longer be used as the basis for religious
training. He said that the Ten Com-
mandments gave young people the idea
that the church was a wet blanket. He
said the dictatorial "Thou shalt nots"
were not in good taste any more. He
said, "In my church I no longer refer
to the Ten Commandments." He
say whether or not he thought chastity,
honesty, and worship should be done
away with, or whether God
changed his mind about these values,
but only that he had convinced him-
self that the Ten Commandments were
81
outmoded and no longer useful.
Another religious leader said that the
stern command "Thou shalt not" was
love. much too harsh for our present-day
sensitivity, and he suggested that the
form of the commandments should be
modified and some softer word such
as "advise" or "suggest" or "recom-
mend" be used. We
make one of our
most serious mistakes when we become
too soft to accept truth unless it is
highly sugar coated. We
settle too
many of our problems by compromise,
or how we feel, rather than by what
is Frequently we would rather
right.
be ruined by praise than saved by criti-
cism. It is pretty serious business when
we turn our backs on good merely be-
cause we don't like someone's tone of
voice or because what is said doesn't
quite suit our fancy.
The story is told of a father and a
son riding down the highway. The
son was explaining to the father what
he didn't like about the Ten Com-
mandments. He said they were nega-
tive and besides that he didn't like any-
one telling him what not to do. Soon
they came to an intersection in the
highway. There was one signboard
telling where the left-hand road led,
and another signboard telling where the
right-hand road led. The father took
the wrong road. This greatly disturbed
the son. He couldn't understand how
the father could make such a ridiculous
mistake. The father admitted that he
had read the signboard, but he said, "I
just don't want any signboard telling
me where to go."
Yet, For our benefit God has erected some
signboards of right and wrong, and
when we are headed toward destruction
the sign is flashed saying, "Thou shalt
not." What we do from there on,
however, is strictly up to us. Sometime
ago I read one of Lincoln's antislavery
debates. Lincoln's opponent had said,
"You can't afford to free the southern
slaves, because there are some four
didn't million of them. Each has a value
to his owner of approximately $1,000.
That is, if you free the slaves you will
had upset the economy of this little group
of slave owners by some four billion
dollars which they can't afford, but in
addition who will take care of the
82 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

corn, the cotton, and the tobacco crops." permits none of it in his presence. But
When Lincoln came to the platform, he has said, ". nevertheless thou may-
. .

he brushed all of these considerations est choose for thyself." (Moses 3:17.)
aside as immaterial. He said, "There He has given us dominion that we
is only one question that we need to might develop our own lives. Aristotle
answer about slavery, and that is this: once told Alexander the Great that the
Is slavery right or is it wrong? Is it most dangerous enemy that ever con-
right for some men to hold other men fronted an army was never in the ranks
in bondage?" Now
I hope that some- of the foe, but always in your own
time when you have a problem that is camp. And that is a good thing for us
causing you difficulty, you will remem- to remember. Suppose we ask ourselves
ber Lincoln's formula of right and who is the greatest enemy of America?
wrong. It isn't Russia or China or Cuba; that is
Sometime ago it was reported that an ridiculous. Who causes our strikes and
engineer was discharged from his em- brings about our racial strife? Who
ployment. He asked his employer for robs our banks and causes our many
the reason. The employer said, "You kinds of delinquency? is it that Who
allowed us to make a wrong decision makes our political blunders, gives us a
which cost us considerable money." The bad name abroad, and causes our weak-
engineer said, "But certainly you re- nesses at home? Or who is responsible
member that I advised you against for our individual sins and keeps us
making that decision." The employer ignorant, lethargic, and unsuccessful?
said, "Yes, I know that you did, but you The Lord suggested the answer, when
didn't pound the table when you on September 22, 1832, he gave a great
did it." revelation in which be said in part,
The Lord didn't make that mistake "And now I give unto you a command-
when he gave the Ten Commandments. ment to beware concerning yourselves,
He pounded the table and tried to make . .
." (D&C 84:43.) Our own signs say,
the occasion as memorable as possible, "Beware of the dog" or "Beware of the
and he expects us to be equally force- train" or "Beware of the communists,"
ful in carrying out his instructions. I but the Lord gets nearer to our problem
would like to read to you a description when he says ". beware concerning
. .

of the setting in which the Ten Com- yourselves. . . ." The chief character-
mandments were given. It gives us an istic of sin, and the chief characteristic
atmosphere for shaping our own of lack of success is our failure to man-
dominion. age our thoughts, our attitudes, and our
The scripture says, "And it came to ambitions. Pythagoras said, "No man
pass on the third day in the morning, is free who cannot command himself."
that there were thunders and lightnings, And we might add that no man is cap-
and a thick cloud upon the mount, and able of making the most and the best
the voice of the trumpet exceedingly of his life who
cannot command him-
loud; so that all the people that was in self. We
will have happiness in our
the camp trembled. homes, success in our work, righteous-
"And Moses brought forth the people ness in our personal lives, and eternal
out of the camp to meet with God; and life in God's presence, only as we learn
they stood at the nether part of the self-mastery and develop the will-power
mount. to put it in force. It is the responsibility
"And mount Sinai was altogether on of the priesthood to prepare the way
a smoke, because the Lord descended before the glorious second coming of
upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof Christ. It is our personal responsibility
ascended as the smoke of a furnace, to prepare our families and our indi-
and the whole mount quaked greatly." vidual lives for celestial glory, and we
(Exod. 19:16-18.) I seriously doubt that will fail or succeed in exact proportion
the Lord has changed his mind since as we get dominion over our own lives.

then. The Lord has said, ". let virtue . . garn-

God himself cannot look upon sin ish thy thoughts unceasingly; . . .

with the least degree of allowance. He "The Holy Ghost shall be thy con-
 PRESIDENT N. ELDON TANNER
stant companion, and thy dominion
. . . My
shall be an everlasting dominion, and
without compulsory means it shall flow
unto thee forever and ever." (Ibid.,
121:45-46.)
Carl Erskine, the great former
baseball once said, "I never
pitcher,
pray to win, I just pray to be in my
best form." What a thrilling accom-
plishment if every bearer of the priest-
hood was always in his best form; for
even one man can, if he will, change
the morale of a whole community. Ed-
ward Everett Hale once said,
"I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something
that I can do."
PRESIDENT
Second Counselor in the
Brethren, if I had the authority, I think
I would dismiss this meeting. I have cer-
tainly enjoyed the messages given by
these two young men and Brother Sill.
I was thrilled, inspired, and encouraged,
and my testimony was strengthened.
There are 370 places in which our
young men, and men not so young,
holding the priesthood are meeting to-
night. If there are 20 young men in
each place, and I think I am being
conservative, we have 7,500 young men
holding the Aaronic Priesthood assem-
bled out away from this Temple Square.
When they heard the messages of these
two boys, I am sure they were happy
to be one of those holding the Aaronic
Priesthood.
The priesthood is the power of God
delegated to man to act in his name.
What a thrilling thing that is to think
about; our young men throughout the
Church, their fathers and their older
brothers having that authorityl I think
of the young deacon passing the Sacra-
ment, the emblems of the great sacrifice
that was made by our Savior. You
know, when the Savior was here upon
this continent, he asked the apostles
to pass the Sacrament, and then others
83
brethren in the priesthood, that
the Lord will help us to get dominion
over our lives, is my prayer which I ask
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dodger President David O. McKay:
Brother Richard P. Condie will now
lead the congregation and Chorus in
singing "Redeemer of Israel."
The congregation and the Tabernacle
Choir Men's Chorus joined in singing
the hymn, "Redeemer Of Israel."
President David O. McKay:
We shall now hear from the man
whom you have sustained as Second
Counselor in the First Presidency of the
Church, Elder Nathan Eldon Tanner.
NATHAN ELDON TANNER
First Presidency
were called and appointed and given the
authority to do this and other things
as well —then think of our boys who
are deacons, passing the Sacrament to
the people! Then think of the teachers
out teaching the gospel to the people,
warning them, helping them, and en-
couraging them to live the gospel
teachings! I think of these young priests
holding the priesthood, which is the
power of God, going into the waters of
baptism to baptize a person. They have
the same power and authority to baptize
that the apostles, and even Christ him-
self, had. These young men at the age
of 19 and 20 are ordained elders. They
are then called to go out into the mis-
sion field. They are commissioned by
Jesus Christ, through those having au-
thority, and are ordained and set apart
as ambassadors of the Lord. There are
12,000 of these young men in the field
today, holding the priesthood, and as
they baptize a person, that baptism is
accepted by our Heavenly Father. As
they confirm a person, he is confirmed
a member of the Church, and it is
binding through time and all eternity.
As those young men 19 or 20 years of
age lay their hands upon the head of an
84 GENERAL
Saturday, October 5
individual and ordain him a deacon,
teacher, priest, or elder and bestow upon
him all the authority and power per-
taining to that office and calling in the
Melchizedek Priesthood, he is accepted
by Jesus Christ and becomes a member
of his Church and his kingdom.
I wonder how many businessmen
here tonight would be prepared to say
to those 12,000 young men, "You go
out into the world, and I will accept
your judgment. You make any deal
that you think is right with anybody
you think you can depend upon and
whom you can trust, and I will honor
the agreement — I will pick up the tab."
I would just like to ask some of you
businessmen how many men you could
pick out that you would be prepared to
send out into the world and say, "This
is your assignment, and I will honor
whatever you do." There wouldn't be
many, but still the Lord is saying to
these young men who hold the priest-
hood, as they go out into the field,
"Anything you do in the power of the
priesthood and in my
name, I will
honor."
Then I see these young men these — want to be there, that isn't what they
deacons, these teachers, and these
priests present here tonight— all pre-
paring themselves for this call as mis-
sionaries. I was proud of these two
young men, and I could just see thou-
sands of them throughout the world,
preparing themselves to accept that
great responsibility as missionaries.
Boys, keep this in mind. It is a great
honor; it is a great privilege; it is a great
blessing to hold the priesthood of God.
You are the only people in all the
world who hold the priesthood. What a
privilegel And I say, following what
Brother Sill said tonight, it is so im-
portant that you not only want to do
what is right, but you have to determine
what you wish to do, and make up your
mind that you are going to do it, and
then set about to discipline yourselves
as two young men told us we
these
should discipline
ourselves. That is
simple. That is all that you have to
—
do decide what you want to do to be
happy and to be worthy of the priest-
hood, so that you can speak in the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ and have
that accepted.
(
Second Day
So, boys, as you go into this great
program of the Church and into the
great challenges that are given to you
as you go into life, make up your minds
what you want to be. Of course, you
must honor your parents. They are the
ones that gave you life. They looked
after you when you couldn't do anything
but cry and squirm. They fed and
clothed you. They have given you
the education that you have and the
opportunities that are yours. You are
mighty poor sports and not very good
citizens if you won't honor your parents.
But, when it comes to determining
what you are going to do in life, you
make up your own minds. They have
given you plenty of teaching. Obey
them, but when it comes to this deci-
sion, "Just what do I want out of life?"
you determine what you want and set
about to do what you want to do. But
sit down and be sure you have decided
what you want to do. I don't think
there is a young man within the sound
of my voice tonight that would choose
to do wrong. As this young man said,
those men
that are in Sing Sing didn't
set out to do. But, they had not made
up their minds strongly enough as to
what they did want to do to go about
it with a determination to discipline
themselves and do the things that would
make life really what they wanted.
So, talk to yourselves and say to
yourselves, "Just what do I want out
of life?" Make up your mind and have
the courage and the strength, the de-
termination and the discipline to do it.
Don't let the devil, himself, get in your
way. He is certainly going to try, and
he will be there all the time, watching
for a place to interfere with your pro-
gram. But, how successful and how
happy you will be, and what joy you
will experience, as you follow the pro-
gram that you have set out for yourself.
Be man enough to say, "This is what I
am going to do."
I have a definition of will power
which I use, and will power is so im-
portant in the program you have chosen.
Will power is the power to do what
you want to do when you don't want
to do it. Brother Sill said these mis-
sionaries want to get up at six o'clock;
 PRESIDENT HUGH B. BROWN 85

but when six o'clock comes in the people who have had problems, and
morning, they don't want to do it. with very few exceptions, yes, with very
And will power is the power to do it few exceptions, it is because they have
then, and you will find that as you go not made up their minds what they
on through life. would do under certain circumstances.
I would like to say to you young I would like to make this appeal to
men that you have a great influence in young men. Honor your parents, honor
the world. How much greater your in- your mother, and honor womanhood.
fluence would be if everyone of you I would like to say to you young men
would just follow the advice of these who hold the priesthood of God, any
two young men who spoke to you to- girl with whom you go has a right
night. I need not add anything to what to expect you to protect her, to look out
they have said, but to encourage you to for her interests, to honor her, to honor
realize that the things that these young the womanhood in her, and to treat her
men have said are the things that will as you would want your mother or your
bring joy and happiness into your lives. sister to be treated. She has a perfect
Set about to do it —we want you to right to expect that and to feel sure that
be happy. you will protect her virtue with
I love these young people in our your lives.
Church. I love young people wherever Brethren, it is a great honor to hold
I find them, and if there is anything the priesthood of God. Magnify your
I can do to help them be happy, to be priesthood, and it will magnify you.
successful in life, to accomplish the You will have joy and happiness while
things that they want to accomplish, you sojourn upon this earth, and as you
that is the thing Iwould like to help finish your mission here, you will be
them do. We are cognizant of the fact worthy to go back into the presence of
that you are going to have temptations our Father. That is my testimony to
as you go through life all kinds of — you, and my prayer for you in the name
temptations. Your young friends told of Jesus Christ. Amen.
you about them tonight. They didn't
go into detail, but you are going to have President David O. McKay:
them. But make up your mind now
what you are going to do and what Our next speaker will be President
you are not going to do. Hugh B. Brown, First Counselor in the
I have talked to hundreds of young First Presidency.

PRESIDENT HUGH B. BROWN

First Counselor in the First Presidency

Like Elder Tanner, I have thoroughly "You cannot run away from a weak-
appreciated what has been said here ness. You must sometime fight it out
tonight. We
have all been inspired by or perish, and if that be so why not
these young men and by the forthright, now, and where you stand."
inspired talk of Elder Sill and the won- And another has said, "Decision de-
derful testimony of President Tanner. I termines destiny. There is absolutely
shall not attempt to add to the subject no greatness that is not buffeted with
which has been so well discussed to- goodness. Brace to the splendid day's
night except to give you a few quota-
work. Keep fit. Be a man."
tions, and then for a few moments
discuss another phase of our work.
Many times I have quoted, and no
From Sir Walter Scott: "Teach self- doubt many of you have memorized the
denial, and make its practice pleasure- clarion call for men to match our mes-
able, and you can create for the world sage and our times:
a destinymore sublime than ever issued
from the brain of the wildest dreamer." "God give us men! A time like this
And Robert Louis Stevenson wrote: demands
86 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith
and ready hands.
Men whom the lust of office does not
kill;
Men whom the spoils of office can-
not buy;
"Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor—men who will
not lie;
Men who can stand before the dema-
gogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries
without winking;
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live
the fog
In public duty and in private think-
ing; ." (Josiah Gilbert Holland.)
. .
Each one must live with himself
of us
throughout eternity, and each one is
now working on the kind of man he
must live with throughout eternity. Let
us determine for ourselves the kind of
man our eternal companion is to be.
I say now is the time to act: It is neither
too early nor too late.
Some young men say, "When
older, I will do something worthwhile
but let me enjoy my carefree youth."
Let me bring to your attention a few
examples of young men who did things
while they were young.
Jefferson was 33 years old when he
drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin Franklin was 26 when he
wrote Poor Richard's Almanac.
Dickens was 24 when he began his
Pickwick Papers and 25 when he wrote
Oliver Twist.
McCormack was only 23 when he
invented the reaper, and Newton was
24 when he formulated the law of
gravitation.
May I add to this quotation, Joseph
Smith was less than 15 when he had
his first vision, 23 when he translated
the Book of Mormon, 24 when the
Church was organized, and he died a
—
young man at 38 yet he left an imprint
upon this world second only to that of
Christ the Lord.
Jesus Christ himself was only 30 when
he began his transcendent mission
which lasted only three years but af-
fected the whole world and will yet
redeem it.
Well, now, you older men, has your
Second Day
chance passed? You high priests, seven-
ties,and elders, is it too late for you
to do something worthwhile? Let me
bring you another set of figures:
Immanuel Kant was 74 when he
wrote his finest philosophical work.
Verdi was 80 when he produced
Falstaff and 84 when he produced
"Ave Maria."
Goethe was 80 when he completed
Faust.
Tennyson was 80 when he wrote
"Crossing the Bar."
Michelangelo completed his greatest
above work at 87.
Titian, at 98, painted the historic pic-
ture, "The Battle of Lepanto."
Justice Holmes was 90 when he was
still writing brilliant opinions.
George Bernard Shaw was 88 and was
superbly chauvinistic.
President David O. McKay, past 90,
is recognized world-wide as a dynamic
and inspired religious leader. He is
carrying a load which would buckle the
knees of many younger men. At his
advanced age he still leads us, shows
I get us the way, and sets the pace.
But perhaps some of you say, "Well,
I have some handicaps." Sarah Bern-
hardt had as her motto, "In spite of
everything." Paul Speicher writing in
one of the magazines about what hap-
pens to men who refuse to be stopped,
reminds us of some statistics, reminds
us of what can happen to a man if he
has the will to do, and knows what
he wants to do.
"Cripple a man and you have a Sir
Walter Scott; put him in prison and
you have a Bunyan; bury him in the
snow at Valley Forge and you have a
George Washington; have him born in
abject poverty and you have an Abra-
ham Lincoln; load him with bitter
racial prejudice and you have a Disraeli;
afflict him with asthma until as a boy
he lies choking in his father's arms and
you have a Theodore Roosevelt; stab
him with rheumatic pains until for
years he cannot sleep without an opiate
and you have a Steinmetz; put him in
a grease pit in a locomotive round
house and you have a Walter P.
Chrysler; make him a second fiddle in
an obscure orchestra in South America
and you have a Toscanini."
 PRESIDENT HUGH B. BROWN 87

History rests on the shoulders of those hood, and therefore it takes a lifetime to
who accepted the challenge of difficul- become a good father. This is a con-

ties and drove through to victory in fession of a father at the bedside of

want add this his sleeping child.
spite of everything. I to
thought on self-control, decisions, de-
"I am saying this to you as you lie
asleep, one little paw crumpled under
termination, faith in God and in
your cheek and the blond curls stickily
yourself.
wet on your damp forehead. I have
stolen into your room alone. Just a few
"You may be what you will to be,
minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper
Let cowards find their false content in the library, a hot, stifling wave of
In that poor word, environment, remorse swept over me. I could not
But spirit scorns it and is free. resist it. Guiltily I came to your
"It conquers time; masters space;
it bedside.
It cows the boastful chance,
trickster, "These are the things I was thinking,
And bids the tyrant circumstance son: I had been cross to you. I scolded
Uncrown and fill a servant's place. you as you were dressing for school be-
cause you gave your face merely a dab
"The human will, that force unseen, with a towel. I took you to task for
The offspring of a deathless soul, not cleaning your shoes. I called out
Can hew its way to any goal, angrily when I found you had thrown
Though walls of granite intervene." some of your things on the floor.
"At breakfast I found fault, too.
I wish all the priesthood members of You spilled things. You gulped down
the Church would obtain and read and your food. You put your elbows on
study the masterful address of Presi- the table. You spread butter too thick
dent David O. McKay delivered last on your bread. And as you started
Friday morning. It will be published in off to play and I made for my train,
the Church Section of the News and you turned and waved a little hand
in other periodicals, the Era later, and and called, 'Good-bye, Daddy!' and I
in the Conference Report. Obtain it, frowned, and said in reply, 'Hold your
study it, read it. Do you know how shoulders back.'
long it took President McKay to pre- "Then it began all over again in the

pare that talk? I haven't asked him, late afternoon. As I came up the hill
but I think it took him 90 years, because road, spied you down on your knees
I

what he said came right out of his playing marbles. There were holes in
heart, and what is in his heart he has your stockings. I humiliated you before
been building into that heart for 90 your boy friends by making you march
years. Now if it took him 90 years to ahead of me back to the house. Stock-
prepare do you think you can get
it, —
ings were expensive and if you had to
all there in it in one reading?
is Get buy them you would be more careful!
it, study it, apply it in your lives. Imagine that, son, from a father! It
I suggest you read the talks of other was such stupid, silly logic.
General Authorities who have spoken "Do you remember, later, when I was
here today in the other meetings. Study reading in the library, how you came
them, follow the counsel, and you will in, softly, timidly, with a sort of hurt,
be blessed. May I suggest especially hunted look in your eyes? When I
that you read the talk of Elder Critch- glanced up over my paper, impatient
—
low on priesthood one of the best I at the interruption, you hesitated at the
have heard. And then obtain and read, door, 'What is it you want?' I snapped.
especially you fathers, what Brother "You said nothing, but ran across,
Packer said this afternoon about the in one tempestuous plunge, and threw
responsibility of fatherhood. On that your arms around my neck and kissed
subject may I read what many of you me, again and again, and your small
have heard before. It applies to every arms tightened with an affection that
father and to you young men who will God had set blooming in your heart
be fathers. Fatherhood is next to God- and which even neglect could not
88 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

wither. And then you were gone, pat- when you ran through the library door
tering up the stairs. and wanted to kiss me!
"Well, son, it was shortly afterwards "I do not know of a better shrine be-
that my paper slipped from my hands, fore which a father or mother may
and a terrible sickening fear came over kneel or stand than that of a sleeping
me. Suddenly I saw myself as I really child. I do not know of a holier place,
was, in all my horrible selfishness, and a temple where one is more likely to
I felt sick at heart. come into closer touch with all that is
"What has habit been doing to me? infinitely good, where one may come
The habit of complaining, of finding nearer to seeing and feeling God. From
fault, of reprimanding — all of these that shrine come matins of love and
were my
rewards to you for being a boy. laughter, of trust and cheer to bless the
It was not that I did not love you; it new day; and before that shrine should
was that I expected so much of youth. fall our soft vespers, our grateful bene-
I was measuring you by the yardstick dictions for the night. At the cot of a
of my own years. sleeping babe all man-made ranks and
"And was so much that was
there inequalities are ironed out, and all
good, and and true in your char-
fine, mankind kneels reverently before the
acter. did not deserve my treat-
You living image of the Creator. To under-
ment of you, son. The little heart of stand a child, to go back and grow up
you was as big as the dawn itself over sympathetically with it, to hold its
the wide hills. All this was shown by love and confidences, to be accepted by
your spontaneous impulse to rush in and it, without fear or restraint, as a com-

kiss me good-night. Nothing else mat- panion and playmate, is just about the
ters tonight, son. I have come to your greatest good fortune that can come to
bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt any man or woman in this world and, —
there, choking with emotion, and so perhaps, in any other world, for all
ashamed 1 we know.
"It is a feeble atonement; I know you "And I am
passing this 'confession'
would not understand these things if I along to the fathers who may be privi-
told them to you during your waking leged to read it, and for the benefit of
hours, yet I must say what I am saying. all the 'little fellers' the —
growing,
I must burn sacrificial fires, alone, here earth-blessing little 'Jimmies' and
in your bedroom, and make free con- 'Billys' and 'Marys' and 'Janes' of this
fession. And I have prayed God to very good world of ours."
strengthen me in my resolve. Tomor- —Author Unknown
row I will be a real daddy! I will
chum with you, and suffer when you God bless you, my brethren of the
suffer and laugh when you laugh. I priesthood. From the very center of my
will bite my tongue when impatient heart I bear witness to the divinity of
words come. I will keep saying as if the gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not
it were a ritual: 'He is nothing but a
claim to have had visions or revelations,
—
boy a little boy.'
but do claim that he has stamped
I
"I am afraid I have visualized you
upon my soul a knowledge of the di-
as a man. Yet as I see you now, son,
vinity of this work which did not come
crumpled and weary in your cot, I see
that you are still a baby. Yesterday you through my natural senses but through
were in your mother's arms, your head the Holy Ghost.
on her shoulder. I have asked too I bless you fathers that you may be
much, too much. real fathers to your children. I bless
"Dear boy! Dear little son! A peni- you young men that you may be hon-
tent kneels at your infant shrine, here orable sons of your fathers. I bless all
in the moonlight. I kiss the little the priesthood here tonight and all those
fingers, and the damp forehead, and who are listening in in far places that
the yellow curl. all may go home from this meeting
"Tears came, and heartache and re- resolved that they are going to exercise
morse, and also a greater, deeper love, self-control and fight their way through
 PRESIDENT DAVID
in spiteeverything and be worthy
of
to bear the Holy Priesthood. May it
PRESIDENT DAVID
The strict attention that you thousands
paid to the remarks of David Cragun
and Matthew Simmons tonight bears
testimony to your pride in these young
men who represented the young men of
the Church, and you got their message.
The remarks given by Brother Sill con-
firming the value of self-control sank
deep in your hearts. The testimonies
of the Presidents of the Church left a
lasting impression upon us all.
In conclusion, I have just a word on
the topic that the boys of the priesthood
have given to us tonight.
A man who cannot control his temper
is not very likely to control his pas-
sions, and no matter what his preten-
sions in religion, he moves in daily
life very close to the animal plane.
Religion is supposed to lift us on a
higher level. Religion appeals to the
spirit in man, your real person, and
yet how often, notwithstanding our
possessing a testimony of the truth, we
yield to the carnal side of our nature.
The man who quarrels in his home
banishes from his heart the spirit of
religion. A man
or a mother in this
Church who would light a cigaret in
the home is yielding to the carnal side
of his nature —
far, far below the ideal
of the Church. Any quarreling in the
home is antagonistic to the spirituality
which Christ would have us develop
within us, and it is in our daily lives
that these expressions have their effect.
Man is making great progress in
science and invention, greater perhaps
than ever before, but he is not making
comparable progress in character and
spirituality.
A while ago I read the remarks of
General Omar N. Bradley, formerly
Army's Chief of Staff, who on one occa-
sion said, and I quote:
"With the monstrous weapons man
already has, humanity is in danger of
being trapped in this world by its moral
adolescence. Our knowledge of science
has clearly outstripped our capacity to
control it. We have too many men of
science, too few men of God. We have
O. McKAY 89
bs so I pray in the name of Jesus
Christ Amen.
O. McKAY
grasped the mystery of the atom and
rejected the Sermon on the Mount.
Man is stumbling Mindly through a
spiritual darkness while toying with the
precarious secrets of life and death."
(Italics added.)
I am still quoting the general: "The
world has achieved brilliance without
wisdom, power without conscience. Ours
is a world of nuclear giants and ethical
infants. We
know more about war
than we know about peace; more about
killing than we know about living."
Our living comes hourly and daily
in the home, in our association in busi-
ness affairs, and in our meeting of
strangers. It is the attitude of the per-
son during the daily contacts by which
we show whether we are appealing to
the carnal or to the spiritual within us
and within those with whom we asso-
ciate. It is a daily matter. I do not
know whether we can get the thought
over or not. It is within the power of
each one, especially members of the
Church who make such pretensions. You
cannot imagine a real true Christian,
and especially a member of the Mor-
mon Church, one who holds the priest-
hood, swearing at his wife. It is
inconceivable that such a thing as that
could be in a home, and especially with
children around. How can anyone
justify parents quarreling in front of
children? Such a thing should never
be a part of the life of church members.
Christ has asked us to develop the
spiritual within us. Man's earthly exist-
ence is but a test as to whether he will
concentrate his efforts, his mind, his
soul, upon things which contribute to
the comfort and gratification of his
physical nature, or whether he will
make as his life's pursuit the acquisition
of spiritual qualities.
"Every noble impulse, every unselfish
expression of love; every brave suffering
for the right; every surrender of self to
something higher than self; every loyalty
to an ideal; every unselfish devotion to
principle; every helpfulness to human-
ity; every act of self-control; every fine
90 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 5 Second Day

courage of the soul, undefeated by pre- The CBS Radio Tabernacle Choir
tense or policy, but by being, doing, Broadcast will from 8:35 to 9:00
be
and living of good for the very good's o'clock Sunday morning. Those desiring
sake —that is spirituality." to attend the Tabernacle Choir Broad-
God help us as members of the priest- cast must be in their seats at 8:15 a.m.
hood to make that life ours individually, It is requested that the audience remain
in the home, in the towns, in our na- quiet during the broadcast.
tion, I pray in the name of Jesus Elder Gordon B. Hinckley of the
Christ. Amen. Council of the Twelve will be the
speaker on the Church of the Air on
President David O. McKay: CBS Radio tomorrow morning at 7:35
The men of the Tabernacle Choir o'clock (from 7:35 to 8:00 a.m.).
will now sing, "I Need Thee Every As thousands leave this priesthood
Hour," conducted by Richard P. Condie, meeting tonight let us keep in mind the
following which Elder John O. Simon- admonition that is constantly being
sen, formerly president of the Southern given us to drive carefully. Let us have
Australian Mission, will offer the courtesy in the city and on the high-
benediction. ways. Thoughtfulness and alertness are
We indeed thank the Men's Chorus necessary if we are to reduce the num-
for the inspiring music they have ren- ber of automobile accidents. Please obey
dered this evening. We
deeply appreciate traffic rules.
the efforts they have put forth in The Choir will now sing, "I Need
preparation for this event. Thank you, Thee Every Hour." Elder John O.
Brother Condie and brethren, and God Simonsen will offer the benediction,
bless you! and we will be adjourned until 10
Many television stations will carry o'clock tomorrow morning.
Conference proceedings Sunday morning
to a nationwide audience, including
Hawaii and Canada. The international The Men of the Tabernacle Choir
short-wave station WRUL
will broad- sang the hymn, "I Need Thee Every
cast the Sunday morning session of Hour."
Conference to all parts of Europe, parts The closing prayer was offered by
of Asia, Africa, South America, Central Elder John O. Simonsen, formerly
America, Mexico and the Caribbean president of the Southern Australian
area. It is reported that we shall have a Mission.
potential listening audience this Con- Conference adjourned until Sunday
ference of many, many millions. morning at 10:00 a.m.

THIRD DAY
MORNING MEETING
The Conference reconvened in the Condie, Conductor of the Choir, di-
Tabernacle Sunday morning, October 6, rected the singing. Frank W. Asper,
1963 at 10:00 a.m. Tabernacle Organist, was the accom-
The Church of the Air service was panist on the organ.
presented at 7:35 a.m., with Elder Gor- President David O. McKay presided
don B. Hinckley as the speaker. and conducted, and made the following
The Tabernacle Choir and Organ introductory remarks:
broadcast was presented in the Taber-
nacle from 8:35 to 9:00 a.m. (For a full President David O. McKay:
report of these broadcasts see pages
127 to 132.) We have telegrams and messages from
The Tabernacle Choir was present members of the Church in all parts of
and furnished the music for this session the world. Time will not permit read-
of the Conference. Elder Richard P. ing them. There is one, however, from
 PRESIDENT HUGH B. BROWN 91

missionaries and members of the Church Voice of Singing," following which the
in Samoa. They extend greetings and invocation will be offered by Elder
thanks for inspiring Conference mes- Lloyd R. Hunsaker, president of the
sages. "We are enjoying excellent re- Logan Stake.
ception by special KSL rebroadcast."
President and Sister J. Philip Hanks. The Tabernacle Choir sang, "With A
Another from
Albuquerque: "Re- Voice Of Singing."
ception of the Conference television Elder Lloyd R. Hunsaker, president of
the Logan Stake, offered the opening
broadcast is great and tremendous in
prayer.
Albuquerque. Members of four stakes
and Western States Mission received the
broadcast over KGGM-TV." I. F. Mun- President David O. McKay:
son, Publicity Director.
The invocation just offered was by
We welcome all present this morning President Lloyd R. Hunsaker of the
in the Tabernacle, which is crowded to Logan Stake. The Tabernacle Choir
the doors, those in the Assembly Hall, will now sing "Blessed He That Comes
and particularly the vast television and in the Name of the Lord." Our first
radio audience in this, the Sixth Session speaker, following the singing, will be
of the 133rd Semi-Annual Conference of President Hugh B. Brown, First coun-
the Church. selor in the First Presidency.
The Tabernacle Choir, under the di-
rection of Richard P. Condie, with Singing by the Choir, "Blessed He
Frank W. Asper at the organ, will open That Comes In The Name Of The
these services by rendering "With A Lord."

PRESIDENT HUGH B. BROWN

First Counselor in the First Presidency

As one beholds the thousands who are nity, and to every privilege of citizenship,
assembled here and is aware that hun- just as it is a moral evil to deny him the

dreds of thousands are listening by right to worship according to the dic-

means of radio and television, the re- tates of his own conscience.
sponsibility of directing the thinking We have consistently and persistently
of so vast an audience would be over- upheld the Constitution of the United
whelming were it not for the knowledge States, and as far as we are concerned
that divine assistance is available this means upholding the constitutional
through prayers of faith. rights of every citizen of the United
During recent months, both in Salt States.
Lake City and across the nation, con- Wecall upon all men, everywhere,
siderable interest has been expressed in both within and outside the Church, to
the position of The Church of Jesus commit themselves to the establishment
Christ of Latter-day Saints on the matter of full civil equality for all of God's
of civil rights. We
would like it to be children. Anything less than this de-
known that there is in this Church no feats our high ideal of the brotherhood
doctrine, belief, or practice that is in- of man.
tended to deny the enjoyment of full Attending a Mormon conference is, no
civil rights by any person regardless of doubt, to some a new experience. Per-
race, color, or creed. haps some may wonder, as did Nathan-
We say again, as we have said many ael in the days of Christ regarding
times before, that we believe that all Nazareth, and ask, "Can any good thing
men are the children of the same God, come out of 'Mormondom'?" For the
and that it is a moral evil for any moment we reply in the words of
person or group of persons to deny any Philip, who simply said to Nathanael,
human being the right to gainful em- "Come and see." (See John 1:46.) We
ployment, to full educational opportu- welcome all of you and hope the time
92 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6
you spend with us will be enlightening
and profitable.
In this fantastically changing world,
where old methods, old models, and
old ideas are being replaced by new
and revolutionary substitutes, it is well
that church leaders everywhere re-
examine and reappraise their creeds and
courageously seek for the causes of the
waning interest in religion.
We are passing through a period of
radical intellectual reconstruction and
spiritual unrest. We
must think about
religion in order to formulate an intel-
lectual understanding of it. And intel-
lectual understanding is just as needful
in religion as anywhere else. We
must
not permit the surface of the waters of
religious life to become fixed and crystal-
lized by the freezing of religious thought.
For a moment may we consider the
divine and historic basis of the Church
of Jesus Christ, its present status, and its
prophetic destiny.
On biblical authority we affirm that
a divine plan for man's salvation was
formulated by God the Father before
the foundations of the earth were laid
when all the sons of God shouted for
joy at the prospect of mortality. (See
Job 38:7.)
At a time far antedating Eden, the
spirits of all men had a primeval exist-
ence and were intelligences with spirit
bodies of which God was universal
Father. In the Bible we read, "Then
shall the dust return to the earth as it
was: and the spirit shall return unto
the God who gave it." (Eccles. 12:7.)
The Lord told Jeremiah that he knew
him before his body was formed and
sanctified him and ordained him a
prophet unto the nations. (Jer. 1:4.)
And the Apostle Paul testified:
"Furthermore we have had fathers of
our flesh which corrected us, and we
gave them reverence: shall we not much
rather be in subjection unto the Father
of spirits, and live?" (Heb. 12:9.)
During this antemortal existence in a
council in the heavens with God the
Father on the throne, there was one
who challenged God, desiring to usurp
his power and force all men to do his
bidding. He coveted Godhood and said
to the Father, "Give me thy glory." He
Third Day
would have had a dictatorship in heaven
ruled by tyrants with all spirit chil-
dren bondmen.
Chief among that vast assembly was
Jehovah, the same who would become
the Christ Child, the Redeemer. He
was the Firstborn among the spirits, and
by birthright was both heir and leader.
He opposed the plot to rob men of their
freedom and espoused the counter
proposition with free agency as the
watchword.
All who favored the Messiah would be
given mortal bodies with the seeds of
death implanted in them. They would
have the right to choose their course in
life and accept responsibility for their
conduct. Their bodies would return to
the dust from which they came. Through
the voluntary atonement of Christ, a
member of the Godhead, resurrection
from the dead was guaranteed to all.
Another blessing of mortality would be
the Godlike power of procreation.
Against this plan the proud, defiant
Lucifer led a great rebellion, and one-
third of all the spirits followed him.
John tells us in the book of Revelation:
". .there was war in heaven: Mi-
.
chael and his angels fought against the
dragon; and the dragon fought and
his angels,
"And prevailed not; neither was their
place found any more in heaven.
"And the great dragon was cast out,
that old serpent, called the Devil, and
Satan, which deceiveth the whole world:
he was cast out into the earth, and his
angels were cast out with him."
(Rev. 12:7-9.)
The Prophet Isaiah knew of this
when he wrote:
"How art thou fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art
thou cut down to the ground, which
didst weaken the nations!
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I
will ascend into heaven, I will exalt
my throne above the stars of God: I
will sit also upon the mount of the con-
gregation, in the sides of the north:
"I will ascend above the heights of
the clouds; I will be like the most High."
(Isa. 14:12-14.)
Adam, because of disobedience, was
evicted from the Garden of Eden; the
 PRESIDENT HUGH B. BROWN 93

door was closed behind him and his also the Son of God the Father and
posterity, and the tree of life was could not be defeated by mortal men
guarded by a flaming sword as we read or devils. Satan, failing in his vile
in Genesis. (Gen. 3:24.) Mortal birth attempt, cunningly decided to bide his
erases recollection of that spiritual pre- time until the Child had grown to man-
existence and the memory of premortal hood, and then he hoped to win by
life is as a feeble echo, and yet, as we artifice where force had failed him.
sometimes sing, "a secret something But here again Satan blundered in
whispers you're a stranger here, and thinking Christ was only mortal. He
we feel that we have wandered from a thought his own power would more
more exalted sphere." than equal that of his young opponent.
The fate of all seemed hopeless when After forty days of fasting, Jesus met
sin and death joined hands to shut them this wily tempter who suggested that
out forever, and Satan leered in tri- he satisfy his hunger by making bread
umph at what seemed to be Christ's of stones and thus manifest his power.
failure. Men had no power to conquer He tried to sow seeds of pride and arro-
death, and without divine assistance gance, two vices of his own. But Christ
would sleep forever in their graves. disclaimed dependence upon bread
The atonement was foreshadowed alone. He lived "by every word pro-
when Adam offered sacrifice, and each ceeding from the mouth of God."
prophet who succeeded him was told Having failed to make appetite and
about Christ's mission. The scene of pride a strong temptation, Lucifer
battle shifted, but the war between good thought promise of power would be
and evil still continues among the sons —
appealing love of power, the very rock
of men. on which he himself had foundered.
Christ had power to conquer death But Christ disdained this offer, too, and
by himself becoming mortal. He would refused to flaunt his matchless power.
reach across the valley and build a The third and last attempt to lure him
straight and narrow highway by which was to offer worldly wealth in exchange
men could pass from death to life. He for his allegiance. And Satan heard the
built a bridge, one end of which was final words:
". Get thee behind me, Satan: ."
anchored in mortality and the other . . . .

fixed in heaven. ". no man cometh

. .
unto the Father, but by me," he said
(John 14:6); and again, "I am the way
and the life."
So Christ was born in Bethlehem and
entered the world of mortal men which
Beelzebub had thought belonged to him
alone. The battle lines were drawn
again with the Messiah and the loyal
sons of God on one side and Lucifer
and his cohorts on the other.
At the moment of Christ's birth,
Satan plotted his destruction and tried
by force to thwart his divine mission.
But the rule of force, so far as his
Son was concerned, had been vetoed by
the Father. The devil has always had
willing tools on earth, and at this time
Herod was his agent. He was cruel
and wily like his master; he sought to
kill the Christ Child, and in his
slaughter of the infants, he set a new
low mark for even Satan.
But this Babe of mortal mother was
(See Luke 4:4-8.)
Satan found his next ally among those
who followed Jesus. Judas thought, like
many since, that worldly wealth is gain,
no matter how procured. He sold his
Master for a price and transferred his
allegiance for which he received full
pay in Satan's coin of misery and death.
The fight went on, and Christ was
crucified, but he was not defeated, for
he held power over death. He yielded
to physical death of his own volition
that, dying, he might conquer death
and thereby open the door which Adam
had closed in Eden. But in death Christ
was victorious, for he achieved the pur-
pose of his earth life, viz., to break the
bonds of death, to come forth from the
grave and insure man's resurrection.
His little band of loyal followers
continued faithful unto death, and
death it was for most of them, includ-
ing the apostles. Apostasy became uni-
versal, and Satan reveled throughout
94 GENERAL C
Sunday, October 6 Third Day

the Dark Ages when it seemed that his ranged from blasphemous denunciation
sovereignty was established. to worship.
self-sacrificing Some ask
But special messengers were sent to whether such a man ever really lived
earth to effect a reformation and pre- or was he just a myth; was he an op-
pare the way for the final scene and portunist, sentimentalist, or social revo-
the promised restoration. lutionist; or possibly a man of genius, a
The message of Mormonism is that wise man, a doer of wonderful works,
the plan of salvation of which we've or a great teacher? But if we consult
spoken is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It the men who were closest to him, the
was taught in every dispensation from men who followed him onto the
Adam to Malachi and reached its cli- Mount of Transfiguration, we shall
max in the Meridian of Time when learn that he was ". the Christ, the
. .

Christ was resurrected from the dead.
From the beginning he had been the
central figure of salvation's plan. The
Jews had looked forward through the
centuries to the coming of Messiah, to a
deliverer of the line of David sent of
God, but despite the prophecies and the
signs that were given them, they failed
to recognize, and therefore
jected him when he came.
The same prophets who so accurately
foretold the earthly advent of Messiah
were also given visions and revelations
regarding his second coming. Their
warning messages are recorded in the
Holy Bible, and they are the signs by
Son of the living God." (Matt. 16:16.)
We ask each and all who are listening
today to make his own appraisal of
Jesus of Nazareth and determine
whether or not he is the Christ, the
Son of God. For ourselves we humbly
bear witness to this transcendent fact.
In the gospel of John he is referred to
they re- as the Word, who was with God in
the beginning, who was God, by whom
all things were made. He was the life
and the light of men who was made
flesh and dwelt among us. (See John
1:1-3, 14.)
The Apostle Paul declared:
']God, . . .

which the people of the latter days "Hath in these last days spoken unto
might be forewarned and guided. us by his Son, whom he hath appointed
For instance, in Psalms we read that heir of all things, by whom also he
fire should devour before him, while made the worlds;" (Heb. 1:1-2.)
Joel saw as signs of his coming that And in the eighth verse of the same
the moon should be darkened and the chapter he said:
stars withdraw their shining. To Zach- "But unto the Son he saith, Thy
ariah it was revealed that his feet throne, O
God, is for ever and ever: a
should stand upon the Mount of Olives, sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre
which should cleave in the midst thereof of thy kingdom." (Ibid., 1:8.)
toward the East and the West, and It is doubtful if his divinity, his
Malachi predicted that he would sud- power, and his leadership were ever
denly come to his temple and that he challenged with such audacity and
should be like a refiner's fire and like ferocity as they are being challenged
fuller's soap. Job referred to our day now. Never in history have the com-
when he said:
mon people of the world felt the need
"For I that my redeemer liveth,
know
of divine leadership as they feel it in
and that he shall stand at the latter
day upon the earth." (Job 19:25.) this bewildered world. There never
While these and many other prophe- was a time which needed him more,
cies were made prior to the birth of as false ideologies and scientific miracles
Christ in Bethlehem, certainly most of are leading the world to the brink
the events to which they refer did not of annihilation.
occur before his birth, nor were they There are men and nations today
fulfilled during his lifetime. who are attempting to displace God,
Many men have tried to appraise to ban religion, and to make this a
Christ since his transcendent ministry godless world. The present war between
began. Their estimates of him have Christ and anti-Christ is in fulfilment
 ELDER TEIORPE B. ISAACSON 95

of prophecy and is itself a harbinger stand before the throne of God to be

or forerunner of the millennium. judged out of the records, each accord-
Weplead with all Christians every- ing to his merits. Death and hell re-
where to attest their faith in him by leased their captives, and the sea gave
keeping his commandments. His work up its dead, while the angels sang
of redemption is not complete nor will hosannah to the Prince of Peace,
it be until his gospel is written in the their Lord.
livesand hearts of men. The fact that We bear humble testimony that Jesus
he was resurrected from the dead the — of Nazareth is the Savior and Redeemer
best attested fact in history assures us — of the world and that he will return
that he still lives. He has promised and reign personally upon the earth.
that he will come again. All who read At that time the people on the earth
the prophecies of scripture and note the will join with the hosts of heaven and
signs of our own times must be con- sing: "The kingdom of this world is
vinced that we are living in the last become the kingdom of our Lord, and
days, that the great events foretold by of his Christ: And He shall reign for
the prophets have been and are being ever and ever, King of Kings, and Lord
enacted on the stage of contemporary of Lords." (Handel, George Frederick,
history. Let us recognize in current The Messiah.) This testimony we bear
events the portents, or prognosis of the to all the world in the name of Jesus
great finale. Christ. Amen.
John, while on the Isle of Patmos,
saw things to come; heard
in vision President David O. McKay:
ten thousand angels singing praises to
the Son of God. And they joined with He who gave this address is President
every creature in earth and heaven all — Hugh B. Brown, First Counselor in the
with one accord were saying: First Presidency of the Church.
". Blessing, and honour, and glory,
. . The Tabernacle Choir will now favor
and power, be unto him that sitteth us with "Father In Heaven, In Thy
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb Love Abounding." Following the sing-
for ever and ever." (Rev. 5:13.) ing, Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson will
And he saw another angel flying in speak to us.
the midst of heaven, saw him bring to
earth the gospel for every nation, kin- The Choir sang the selection, "Father
dred, tongue, and people. He saw the In Heaven, In Thy Love Abounding."
lake without a bottom, and the dragon
bound with chains, saw one thousand President David O. McKay:
years of concord, peace, and rest. And
he saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, Weshall now hear from Elder
coming down from God out of heaven, Thorpe B. Isaacson, Assistant to the
with his earthly kingdom to be joined. Twelve. He will be followed by Elder
Then he saw the small and great ones Howard W. Hunter.

ELDER THORPE B. ISAACSON

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

President McKay, our beloved President
and God's choice prophet, President
Brown, President Tanner, brethren of
the General Authorities, my dear
brothers and sisters and friends every-
where. One cannot stand at this pul-
pit without feeling humble and very
dependent upon the Spirit of the Lord.
I can assure you that much fasting and
much praying precedes a general con-
ference. I sincerely pray that what I
might say will be helpful and I trust
encouraging.
This beautiful choir this morning and
every Sunday morning is a great pride
and a blessing to the people of the
Church and for the people of the world.
What a great missionary group of won-
96 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6
derful people —these choir members and
their officers and their choristers
organists. I am sure we little sense
the great good that they are doing.
We all recognize that there are three
important institutions that greatly affect
the life of a boy, and when I use the
term boy I should like to also have it
understood that I include the girl. The
home, the church, and the school all
are important, but perhaps not all in
that order.
We recognize, however, that the home
should be in first place and directly
responsible for the welfare, the train-
ing, and the future of a boy. But
what if the home fails, and what if
the parents cannot succeed?
True, the church plays an important
part in the life of a boy. Yet, we must
recognize that the church has the boy
under its jurisdiction but a very small
percentage of his time, while the
teacher and the school have a very
close association with him. Perhaps
more of the boy's time is spent with
the teacher than that he spends in the
home. Therefore, it might be said that
the teacher and the school will play
a bigger part in the welfare and the
training and the character and the fu-
ture of a boy than perhaps the home
or the church.
Parents have such little time to spend
with their boy. Parents take too little
time with their boy; therefore, we
should be more concerned than ever
that he is properly taught, supervised,
and disciplined while we are with him.
Now, teacher and school, I wonder if
you are willing to assume the welfare
and the training of the character of
the boy, remembering that you have
him under your direction more of his
awake time than anybody else. So
much depends upon you the teacher—
and the school. Yes, parents expect the
teachers and the school to make sure
that their boy is properly taught, not
alone that he is taught to read and write
and the arts and the sciences, but that
he is taught the fundamentals of life
and the building of character. Some
would say, Teacher, his future
"Yes,
depends largely on you." I wonder if you
are willing to accept this responsibility?
Third Day
Of late years we have had much said
and about the teacher and the school. Re-
gardless of what may have been said,
the fact still remains that the teacher
has the association and the responsi-
bility for a greater portion of his time
than anybody else. Parents are justified
in being anxious about their boy, and
they are anxious that the teacher and
— the school give him everything that he
needs. They are anxious that he is
properly taught because his future life
and how he conducts himself will in a
large measure be the result of some
teacher and the school.
Teachers, do you realize that the
boys today under your direction may
be the doctors of tomorrow, they may
be the businessmen of tomorrow, they
may be the teachers to take your place
tomorrow, the legislators of tomorrow,
the public office-holders, church leaders.
Yes, they may be the men who may
go to the moon; some may be great
artists and authors. Some may be
great industrial tycoons, and some may
be the leaders America will need so
badly to survive in this puzzled world.
Yes, teacher, you have their future in
your hands. Don't let any boy fail
because of you, his teacher.
Great teachers are always underpaid.
Probably it can never be said that a
great teacher is paid enough, but a
poor teacher is paid too much, regardless
of what he is paid. Teachers, you may
be underpaid; yes, you may be unappre-
ciated at times, and you may be over-
worked, but you will gain that pay in
secret satisfaction and blessings of God
in heaven, and many boys will rise up
and call you blessed.
Recently, I asked a beautiful little
granddaughter, Becky, how she liked
school, and she answered and said, "O
Grandpa, it is the greatest! I love my
teacher." I wonder what that is worth
to a teacher. Certainly you teachers
must be proud of your profession. Jesus
was the greatest teacher of all, and what
he taught lived long after him and still
lives. May teachers teach those things
that will live long after you! Yes, you
should be proud of your profession.
Many great men in America, many great
men in this audience, men who are
 —

ELDER THORPE B. ISAACSON 97

listening by and radio, have

television ables concerned each person's fulfilling
been teachers. Our great prophet was a his own capacity.
teacher; he has been a teacher; he is In Proverbs 20, verse 27, I quote, "The
still a teacher. Certainly, teachers, you spirit of man is the candle of the
should be proud of your profession. Lord, . .
." Teachers, remember to
Secretly, you must admit that you have reverence the young lives, clean and
the greatest job in all the world because plastic, which have newly come from
you hold the history of the world in the God and to realize that generations still
palm of your hand you are a teacher! unborn will rue your sloth or rise to
Many of us can and do constantly higher levels through your wisdom
pay tribute to the teachers whom we and faithfulness.
were fortunate enough to have. As par- May God, the Father of us all, gird
ents, taxpayers, and citizens, it might you for your work with his patience and
be well if we took a little more interest tranquility, with great fatherly and
in our schools and in our boys and girls motherly love for the young, and with
and extended greater appreciation for special tenderness for the backward and
our teachers. It would be well if we
the afflicted and the poor. Save them
never speak disparagingly about a from trouble, from loneliness, and dis-
teacher.
couragement, from the numbness of

Teachers, make sure that you teach routine, and from all bitterness of
heart.
as you would Teachers,
like to mold.
be sure that you teach so that there
Here are some thoughts expressed to
teachers, which might be said by all
will never be any justifiable reason to
fathers and mothers to all teachers: t
criticize your profession. Teachers, re-
member that there is a divine spark in "To you the teacher and the school,

every boy and girl that never goes out.

my son will start school. It's all going
to be so very strange and new to him
You may help to kindle that spark.
for awhile, and I wish that you would
Children are like the flowers of God,
and they must have time and room
sort of treat him gently.
to bloom.
"You see, up to now, my little boy
has been the king of the roost. He's
May I dedicate this to teachers, and
been boss of the back yard. His mother
when I speak of teachers I speak of them
has always been around to repair his
in the broadest sense because every one
—
of us is a teacher teachers by example
wounds, and I have always been handy
to soothe his feelings. Now things are
and precept. I refer to parents, and I
going to be different.
refer to teachers in the auxiliary organ-
"This morning he is going to walk
izations. I would like to include teach-
ers in the elementary schools, high
down the front steps, he is going to
schools, public schools, colleges, and
wave his hand to his mother, and he
is going to start out on a great adven-
universities.
Teachers, into your hands we daily
ture. This is an adventure that will
commit the dearest that we have. As probably include much tragedy and
sorrow and disappointment.
you make our children, so shall future
years see them, so be careful.
"Our boy will have to live his life
with you and with the world that he
Teachers, may you have an abiding
consciousness that you are co-workers
now has to live in. It will require faith
with God, the great teacher of human-
and love and courage. So teacher and
school and world, I wish you would sort
ity, and that he has charged you with
of take him by his young hand and
the great duty of bringing forth from
teach him the things that he ought to
the budding life of the young the mys-
terious stores of character and ability
know, but be careful with him.
"Please teach him, but gently, if you
which he has hidden in them.
The miracles and teaching of the
can. He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just, and all men
Man of Galilee are considered by many are not true, but please teach him that
to be the brightest illumination of all for every scoundrel there is a hero, and
that has come to bless man. He taught for every disloyal politician, there is a
individual responsibility, and his par- dedicated public leader. Let him un-
 —

98 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6 Third Day

derstand, teacher, that you are one of beware of too much

sweetness. Teach
those dedicated leaders. Teach him him to sell his brawn and
his brains to
that for every enemy he may have, the highest bidder but never to put a
there will be wonderful friends, and price tag on his heart and his soul.
teach him that you are that wonder- "Teach him to close his ears to the
ful friend. howling mob. Teach him to stand and
"It will take time, teacher, school, fight if he thinks he is right. Treat him
and world, I know, but teach him, if gently, teacher and world, but don't
you can, that a nickel earned is far coddle him because only the test of fire
more valuable than a dollar found. makes fine steel. Abraham Lincoln
Teach him to learn to lose but also once said, 'to sin in silence when protest
teach him to enjoy winning. Steer him is good makes cowards out of men.'
away from envy if you can, and teach "Let him have the courage to be im-
him the secret of quiet laughter. patient, but let him have the patience
"Let him learn early that the bullies to be brave. Teach him always to have
are the easiest people to lick. Teach sublime faith in himself and complete
him, if you can, the wonder and great- faith in God. Do you mean to say this
ness of good books. But also give him is teaching religion? Why, this is teach-
quiet time to ponder the eternal mys- ing truth, because then he will always
tery of birds in the sky, bees in the have sublime faith in mankind. And
sun, and flowers on the green hill. teach him to love his fellow men.
—
"In school teacher and world teach — "This is a big order, teacher and
him it is far more honorable to fail world, but see what you can do for my
than to cheat. Teach him to be honest. little boy. He is such a nice fellow
Teach him to have faith in his own my son!"
ideas even if others tell him that his God bless all teachers, that parents
ideas are wrong. Teach him to be gen- and sons and daughters will not be dis-
tle with gentle people, but teach him appointed in you, and that you will be
to be tough with tough people. able to lift them to the highest level.
"Try to give my son the strength not Yes, even beyond their own natural
to follow the crowd just because every- abilities. That is real teaching. May
one is getting on the band wagon. Teach God reward teachers with the glad sense
him to listen to all men, and then teach of their eternal worth as teachers.
him also to filter and separate all he Lord, in the heat of day, show them
hears on the screen of truth and take the spring by the wayside that flows
only the good part that comes through. from the eternal silence of God and gives
Teach him to choose that which will new light to all who drink of it. May
be good. God give you teachers the brave heart
"Teach him if you can how to laugh to teach what is true, even to your own
when he is Teach him there is
sad. hurt, following in the footsteps of the
no shame There is a sacred-
in tears. great Creator of our life, Jesus Christ,
ness in tears. They are not the mark of the Savior.
weakness but of power. They speak
1 bear testimony to you that God is
more eloquently than ten thousand
our Father, that we can partake of his
tongues. They are the messengers of
Spirit, that Jesus Christ is the Son of
overwhelming grief, deep contrition, and
unspeakable love, and when tears God, that the gospel is the greatest
course down his cheek for any of these power in the earth. This testimony I
three causes, remember he is standing bear to all men everywhere regardless
close in the presence of God. of your station in life. I pray that you
"Teach him to work and study. Let can understand the restoration of the
him know that the price of success is gospel because if it is made a part of
high, but not nearly so high as the your life, and if you can realize it and
price of failure. Teach him there can accept it, that God still governs in the
be glory in failure, but also teach him affairs of men —
I bear testimony to you

there can be despair in success. that if you will accept that, you will
"Teach him to scoff at cynics and to have more peace and comfort from this
 ELDER HOWARD W. HUNTER 99

source than from any other source in Thorpe B. Assistant to

Isaacson, the
the world. Twelve, a former teacher himself.
Yes, I love to bear testimony to you Probably you noticed my hesitancy
that President McKay is a prophet and before announcing the next speaker,
that this Church is led by divine guid-
especiallymy counselors. It was be-
ance by this great prophet. I bear
cause we have this brief interlude before
testimony to you that Joseph Smith is a
the Tabernacle Choir and congrega-
Prophet of God, called of God as his
mouthpiece to bring forth the restored tion sing, "The Morning Breaks, The
gospel in this day and age. I plead with Shadows Flee."
you, my friends, to accept the teachings
of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I promise
you in the name of the Lord that it The Choir and the congregation joined
will bring you more happiness, more in singing the hymn, "The Morning
satisfaction, and more peace of mind Breaks, The Shadows Flee."
than you have ever known in your life.
It will help you solve your problems. It President David O. McKay:
will help you carry your burdens. It
will help you make for you and your Wewelcome those who have just
family a new and better life. I humbly joined us by radio and television.
pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We shall now
from Elderhear
President David O. McKay: Howard W. Hunter of the Council of
the Twelve. He will be followed by
He who has just addressed us is Elder Bishop Robert L. Simpson.

ELDER HOWARD W. HUNTER

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

As one turns the pages of the Old Testa-
ment, there appear the writings of great
men of ages past who are referred to
as the prophets. The books of the New
Testament contain, among other things,
the writings, teachings, and history of
men of a later dispensation, who have
in each dispensation of time, and God
chose prophets for this purpose long
before they came to this mortal exist-
ence. We
remember the Lord spoke to
Abraham and showed him the intelli-
gences which existed before the earth
was created and said: ". Abraham, . .

been designated as prophets. We also thou art one of them; thou wast chosen
have the record of the prophets of the before thou wast born." (Abr. 3:23.)
western part of the world, who raised In speaking to Jeremiah the Lord
their voices, proclaiming the word of said: ". before thou earnest forth out
. .

the Lord, protesting unrighteousness, of the womb I sanctified thee, and I

and teaching the principles of the gos-
pel. All of these have left their witness.
A prophet is one who has been called
and raised up by the Lord to further
God's purposes among his children. He
is one who has received the priesthood
and speaks with authority. Prophets
are teachers and defenders of the gos-
pel. They bear witness of the divinity
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prophets
have foretold future happenings, but
this is not the most important of their
responsibilities, althoughit may be some
evidence of prophetic power.
Righteous leadership has been needed
ordained thee a prophet unto the na-
tions." (Jer. 1:5.)
After the formation of the earth and
the creation of man, Adam became the
patriarch to the human family and
the first prophet. He previously sat in the
council that planned the creation of
the earth and participated under Christ
in the execution of the prearrangement.
According to the plan, the fall of Adam
from immortality created the condition
by which all men may be saved from
mortal death and live again by reason
of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. In
100 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6
spite of the teachings of Adam,
people
turned from righteousness.
In the seventh generation a dispensa-
tion was given to Enoch. God called
him to prophesy unto the people and
call them to repentance. He went forth
in the land among the people and cried
with a loud voice against their iniquities.
Enoch understood the doctrine of the
fall and the atonement and taught the
gospel as it had been given to Adam. He
gathered a great multitude of people
into a city known as the City of Holi-
ness, which, because of the righteousness
of the people,was lifted from the earth.
Corruption soon filled the earth again
and God raised up Noah as a prophet
to teach the gospel.
"And it came to pass that Noah called
upon the children of men that they
should repent; but they hearkened not
unto his words." (Moses 8:20.)
The Lord then caused the earth to
be covered by water, destroying the
wicked population except the family
of Noah, and Noah became the prophet
to a new generation, holding the keys
of the priesthood.
As we continue to trace history, we
come to another period when apostasy
swept over the peoples of the earth. God
spoke to Abraham, a follower of right-
eousness and revealed many things
through him for the benefit of man-
—
kind the order of the priesthood, a
knowledge of the planets in the universe,
a vision of the council in heaven be-
fore the creation of the earth, and the
plan of salvation.
Again the people turned to darkness
rather than light. Moses was chosen
to lead the Israelites from Egyptian
bondage. On Mt. Sinai, during the
migration to the land of promise, he
was given the Ten Commandments for
the benefit of his people. In spite of his
labors to teach them the gospel, they
failed to take heed, so the Lord, through
this great prophet, gave them what has
beenknown as the Law of Moses or the
Law of Carnal Commandments.
The western world was not without
its prophets. From the writings of
Ether in the Book of Mormon, we read
of the appearance of the Lord to the
brother of Jared. As this people ceased
Third Day
to serve the Lord and deteriorated into
unfaithfulness, the prophet Lehi was in-
structed to bring his family to these
shores, and a new gospel dispensation
was established. The history of his
descendants is a series of leadership
under great prophets, but as the people
ceased to obey their counsel, the Lord
withdrew his Spirit from them, and the
race was destroyed.
John the Baptist was the forerunner
of Christ and proclaimed the same
gospel ordinances which had been in-
stituted for the salvation ofman before
the world was created and which had
been taught by the prophets. Then
came the Master in the Meridian of
Time, fulfilling that which had been
spoken by Adam and each of the proph-
ets since his time. The Son of God,
the Savior of the world, was born into
mortality. Jesus was "God manifest in
the flesh." (1 Tim. 3:16.) He taught
by precept and lived the perfect life.
He made the atonement for sin and
gave his life that all mankind may be
saved by obedience to the laws and
ordinances of the gospel. The Twelve
Apostles were the personal witnesses of
Christ, but after the death of the last
of them, there was a falling away. The
priesthood was lost to the world, and
there was total spiritual darkness. This
condition had been foretold by the
ancient prophets.
At the beginning of the nineteenth
century there had been no revelation
for seventeen hundred years. There
had been no heavenly appearances or
scripture during that time and the
world was in a chaotic religious state.
Many times the gospel had been given
to the world through the prophets, and
each time was lost because of disobedi-
ence. In the year 1820 the silence was
broken, and the Lord again appeared
to a prophet. This prophet, Joseph
Smith, could testify of his own positive
knowledge that God lives, that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, a Resur-
rected Being, separate and distinct from
the Father. He did not testify as to
what he believed or what he or others
thought or conjectured, but of what
he knew. This knowledge came to him
because God the Father and the Son
 ELDER HOWARD W. HUNTER 101

appeared to him in person and spoke He the master of himself yet submis-
is

to him. Through him and by subse- sive to the will of God. He demon-
quent events the priesthood and the strates self-control and moderation in
gospel in its fulness were once more all things.
restored to the earth, never again to be And to temperance, patience! There
removed. The Church of Christ, the are often occurrences which are apt to
kingdom of God on earth, was re- harass the temper, but in his sweet,
established and destined, according to kindly way, he regards them with calm
scripture, to roll forth and fill the whole endurance.
earth. Since the death of the Prophet And to patience he added godliness.
Joseph Smith, each succeeding Presi- One who works closely with him has
dent of the Church has been sustained said,"There is a spirituality radiating
as a prophet of the Lord, and there is a from him that is ofttimes felt by even
living prophet on the earth today. the stranger who visits him. He keeps
To peoples of past dispensations and himself spiritually tuned to heavenly
ages, the most important prophet was things." His thoughts, his writings,
the one then living, teaching, and re- his teaching, his very appearance indi-
vealing the will of the Lord in their cate the presence of God in his life.
time. In each of the past dispensations, And to godliness he added brotherly
prophets have been raised up by the kindness. The story is told of a con-
Lord as his spokesmen to the people of ference concerning a difficult problem
that particular age and for the specific when he said, "Human hearts are very
problems of that age. tender, and human lives are very
It is the present living prophet who precious. Let's solve this problem with-
is our leader, our teacher. It is from out hurting a very tender heart."
him we take direction in the modern And to brotherly kindness he added
world. From all corners of the earth, charity. He has a Christian love for
we who sustain him as a prophet of the all men because they are the sons
Lord, express our appreciation for this of God. He is kind, forgiving, and
source of divine guidance. We are grate- compassionate.
ful for his life, his example, his teach- All these things are in him and
ings, his leadership. Ninety years of abound and make him neither barren
faith and devotion! His faith has not nor unfruitful. They distinguish him as
stood alone but has borne fruit all over a prophet of the Lord our President,—
the world. If he is tested by the fruits David O. McKay.
of faith as spelled out in the New Testa- As the prophets from the beginning
ment, we will find that his life is a to the present day pass in review before
manifestation of each of them and can
our memory, we become aware of the
be described by that chain of "linked
great blessing which comes to us from
graces" enumerated in the Second Epis-
tle of the Apostle Peter.
the influence of a living prophet. His-
To faith he added virtue. His life tory should teach us that unless we are
demonstrates manly strength, courage, willing to heed the warnings and follow
and moral excellence, measured not by the teachings of a prophet of the Lord,
his extraordinary efforts, but by his we will be subject to the judgments
everyday conduct. of God.
To virtue he added knowledge. Since I bear witness that God lives, that
early boyhood he has been a student
Jesus is the Christ, that there is a living
and a teacher, in both the formal pur- prophet of God on the earth today,
suits of education and in the great
whom I sustain with all my heart. In
school of life. His experience, practical the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
skill, understanding, clear perception of

truth, knowledge of God and the di- President David O. McKay:

vine nature of man, distinguish him
from other men of the world. He towhom we have just listened is

To knowledge he added temperance. Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Coun-

 —

102 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Sunday, October 6 Third Day

cil of the Twelve. We shall now hear member of the Presiding Bishopric of
from Brother Robert L. Simpson, a the Church.

BISHOP ROBERT L. SIMPSON

First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

My brothers and sisters, true greatness the instructor, "I guess we can skip the
has a habit of surviving the years. I stories this morning."
am certain that every member
the of Wouldn't you the privilege of
like
Church has thrilled to the words of a shaking hands with that kind of Aaronic
stalwart young man of Aaronic Priest- Priesthood courage? Isn't it gratifying
hood age who lived approximately to know that you don't have to turn
twenty-six hundred years ago. When the pages of history back twenty-six
faced with a difficult situation, he said, hundred years to find the courage of a
"I will go and do the things which the Nephi or a Daniel in the lions' den or
Lord hath commanded, for I know that a David meeting Goliath? And isn't
the Lord giveth no commandments unto it also gratifying to know that for every

the children of men, save he shall pre-
pare a way for them that they may
accomplish the thing which he com-
manded them." (1 Nephi 3:7.)
This young man, destined to become
a great prophet, had a most important
quality. He had courage, courage to
stand on his own two feet rather than
follow the so-called easier way the
—
more popular way the beckoning cf
the crowd, in this case his own brothers.
Let us quickly span twenty-six hun-
dred years and review a story of
Aaronic Priesthood courage in our day,
1963. My heart was touched just last
month as I had the privilege of read-
ing an excerpt from a serviceman's
letter to his parents. Apparently, his
training instructor had made it a habit
of starting each day's discussion with a
few off-color stories.
One morning, quite by surprise, the
instructor asked if anyone objected to a
couple of "good" stories before starting
the day's instruction. This young Mor-
mon boy said that almost as though he
had been ejected from his seat by an
unseen power, he shot up and said,
"Yes, sir, 1 object."
After along stony silence, the in-
structor said, "Are there any others?"
courageous heart with a fortitude to
stand up and be counted, there will be
a host of others willing to rally to the
cause of truth and right?
Perhaps there might be a high school
student within sound of my voice who
finds himself at the crossroads of de-
cision today; whose circle of closest
— friends fail to live by the rules of con-
duct that he or she knows to be right.
Might these so-called friends be urging
you to take one more step away from
all that you believe in, all that is
sacred? Could these be the same first
easy steps taken by a teenage boy re-
cently who stated to a juvenile judge,
"I just didn't realize it was happening
it was so gradual"; or the girl who
pleaded, "I wanted so much to be popu-
lar with the others and I was so—
wrong."
How grateful we can be that these
young people had the courage to recog-
nize their misdirection and then even —
more courage to do what needed to be
done in realigning their lives to correct
standards.
Now, courage is an easy word to
say. To be effective, there must be
action — our serviceman a mo-
just like

You can imagine the feelings of this

ment ago —positive action in the right
direction which can only happen when
boy's heart as one by one another dozen
that courage is inspired through positive,
or so young army recruits stood in de-
fense of what they really believed.
proper motivation.
Those standing were invited to leave Now, join with me, young people,
the class, and then halfway out, they through a thought sequence which
were called back with a comment from should prove helpful to serious-minded
 BISHOP ROBERT L. SIMPSON 103

church members as a basis for motiva- 3. The heavens have been opened
tion in the right direction: and remain open today.
First, let us reconfirm in our minds 4. We are here by appointment, by
that there is a Heavenly Father, that foreordination.
he is the Creator of heaven and earth 5. And finally, the choice is ours as
and directs all that we survey. to what we do about it.

Second, let us be assured that his Nownot only do we need courage in

house is a house of order, even to the
extent that you and I have come to
mortality now, in this day, by specific
assignment for a real purpose.
Have you ever asked yourself the
question, "Why wasn't I born two hun-
dred years ago, or a thousand years ago?"
There is only one reason, young peo-
ple, because the Lord wanted you born
now, in this important day.
Step No. 3, can we know for assur-
ance that a young boy knelt in a grove
of trees in the year 1820 and there re-
ceived a personal visitation from God
the Father and his Son Jesus Christ?
Have you read the Joseph Smith story
lately, with a real desire to know its
truthfulness?
The fourth step: Why
are you a
member of this Church and kingdom?
Could this be by chance? By your se-
lection only? The Savior has this to
say in the fifteenth chapter of John:
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have
chosen you, and ordained you, ." . .
(Verse 16.)
As we meet in this historic
surely as
tabernacle, I know that foreordination
is a real part of the plan we have a—
responsibility —a
divine commission, if
you conferred prior to mortal
please,
existence that can neither be disregarded
nor taken lightly without far-reaching
consequences.
The fifth and final point I suggest
is that the Lord has given us a most
precious gift that we call free agency.
And after all is said and done, the final
decision is ours with regard to our tal-
ents, our divine commission, our choice
between left or right, right or wrong.
Youth of Zion, do you have the cour-
age to do right? I sometimes wonder
how we could have the courage to do
anything but right if we really believe
in the foregoing steps of logic. Let us
just enumerate them again briefly:
1. God lives.
2. His house is a house of order.
choosing our way, but we also need
help. The best source of help is from
those who love us. I would like to re-
confirm a truth that has been spoken
from this pulpit many times, that no
one loves us like our parents, like our
bishop, like our Heavenly Father. May
we always seek our counsel and guid-
ance from these three sources.
Youth is energetic; youth is aggres-
sive. The mind of youth is inquisitive,
sometimes beyond sound judgment
which often leads us into dangerous
territory. The Prophet Joseph Smith
had this to say to Martin Harris in
kindly reprimand: "When a man de-
signedly provokes a serpent to bite him,
the principle is the same as when a
man drinks deadly poison, knowing it
to be such. In that case, no man has
any claim on the promises of God to
be healed." (DHC 2, 95-96.) By the
same token, can we expect the protec-
tionwe need when we knowingly step
beyond the limits of good judgment?
Moroni's reiteration of Mormon's teach-
ings gives us the key for keeping a
solid footing.
"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is
given to every man, that he may know
good from evil; wherefore, I show unto
you the way to judge; for every thing
which inviteth to do good, and to per-
suade to believe in Christ, is sent forth
by the power and gift of Christ; where-
fore ye may know with a perfect knowl-
edge it is of God.
"But whatsoever thing persuadeth
men to do evil, and believe not in
Christ, and deny him, and serve not
God, then ye may know with a perfect
knowledge it is of the devil; for after
this manner doth the devil work, for he
persuadeth no man to do good, no, not
one; neither do his angels; neither do
they who subject themselves unto him."
(Moroni 7:16-17. Italics added.)
Yes, youth of Zion, history is still
being made, and whether you like it
104 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6
or not, you have a hand in it. You
will need courage and lots of it. You will
need the help of those who love you
and the support of loyal friends, real
friends, friends who would encourage
you in "every thing which inviteth to
do good," as stated by Moroni.
Now in conclusion, may I suggest
that this Church is not idly named.
We are The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. These are the
latter days; this is the final dispensation
of time, and the programs of the Church
are all moving toward a sort of finaliza-
tion or culmination. There is an
urgency as never before about what
needs to be done; and be sure of this,
what needs to be done will be done
on schedule, we hope by those initially
foreordained to the task. But just as
surely as night follows the day, if we
choose not to accept our station, or if
we grow weary along the way, placing
less important things first, there will be
substitutes raised to take our place,
that the Lord's time-plan and ultimate
purposes will not be thwarted.
ELDER HAROLD
Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
I seek earnestly for the Spirit of the
Lord by which, hopefully, my humble
message might be carried by the power
of the Holy Ghost into the hearts of
those who may listen this morning.
A few years ago I was touring the
North Central States Mission, and in
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a father and
a daughter sought me for an interview
following the conference sessions. He
explained that in his younger years he
had joined a church which did not
baptize by immersion. Because of his
certainty as he studied the scriptures
that immersion was the only true mode
of baptism, he later joined a church
where he was baptized by immersion.
And then he had an uncle who be-
longed to a church who taught that
everything in all other churches was
evil. He decided to join the church
of his uncle.
Later a friend told him about a uni-
versal church. It had no organization,
Third Day
Youth of Zion, stand up and be
counted, have the courage of your con-
victions, and whatever you do, don't
allow someone else to be a substitute
for you in the kingdom of your Heav-
enly Father, in the name of Jesus
Christ. Amen.
President David O. McKay:
We have just
listened to Elder Robert
L. Simpson of the Presiding Bishopric,
one of three men holding the presidency
of the Aaronic Priesthood. The Taber-
nacle Choir will now sing "Children
of The Heavenly Father," after which
Elder Harold B. Lee will be our con-
cluding speaker.
The Choir sang "Children Of The
Heavenly Father."
President David O. McKay:
Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of
Twelve will be our concluding speaker.
B. LEE
needed no authoritative priesthood, no
rituals. They had no buildings, they
had nebulous formula: "Believe and be
saved." And so he joined with this
friend.
Recently his daughter had gone to a
Bible class, following her school years,
and had been graduated just a few days
before as an honor student. And in the
concluding session the minister who had
conducted the course had asked them
for any expressions or questions. This
bright young honor student began to
ask some of the questions that two
Latter-day Saint elders, who had been
coming to their home, had been asking.
The minister became confused and
very angry, and in a rebuke he said
if she had learned as she should have
learned in the course she wouldn't be
asking such foolish questions.
They were now being taught by two
of our missionaries in the fundamental
doctrines of the Church, and he said

to me after this
"This time, if I join The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I don't
want to make another mistake.
can be sure?"
I the authority to confer the Holy Ghost,
I explained the only way to a con-
vincing assurance by quoting the words
of Moroni: ". if ye shall ask with a
. .
sincere heart, with real intent, having
faith in Christ, he will manifest the
truth of it unto you, by the power of
the Holy Ghost.
"And by the power of the Holy Ghost
ye may know the truth of all things."
(Moroni 10:4-5.) Having quoted that,
I then said, "Now I might enumerate
some of the outward evidences by which
one might recognize the divine Church."
The name of the Church itself is sig-
nificant in one's search for the true
Church. When the Master was asked
by his disciples by what name his
Church should be called, he answered:
"And how be it my church save it be
called in my name? For if a church
be called in Moses' name then it be
Moses' church; or if it be called in the
name of a man then it be the church
of a man; . .
." (3
In our day, by revelation, the Lord
has clearly declared the correct name,
I told him: "For thus shall my church
be called in the last days, even The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints" (D&C 115:4), thus distinguish-
ing this dispensation from former-day
Saints, affixed to
Church of Jesus Christ.
But then I reminded him that even
though it bears the Master's name, there
must be coupled with the name of the
Savior, Jesus Christ, another vital es-
sential in the true Church. After the
Master had explained the name by
which his Church should be named,
he added, ". but if it be called in
. .
my name then it is my church, if it so
be that they are built upon my gospel."
Nephi 27:8.)
(3
And then I him in turn, what
asked
is his gospel? The Lord has said in
revelation: "And this is my gospel
repentance and baptism by water, and
then cometh the baptism of fire and the
Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which
showeth all things, and teacheth the
—
ELDER HAROLD B. LEE 105
brief introduction: peaceable things of the kingdom."
(D&C 39:6.)
In modern revelation the true Church
How has been defined as the Church having
even the gift of the Holy Ghost which
gives to those who make themselves
worthy, the right to have all peaceable
things of the kingdom revealed to them.
This makes clear the meaning of the
explanation made by the Prophet Joseph
when asked by a President of the
United "How is your church
States,
different from
all the other churches?"
The Prophet Joseph Smith answered in
one significant statement, "We are dif-
ferent from all other churches because
we have the Holy Ghost" (see DHC
4, 42); in other words, meaning that
the principle of continuous revelation
by the power of the Holy Ghost is a
prime requisite for the true Church.
Paul the apostle I reminded him,
made a clear observation in two state-
ments relative to the essentials of the
Church. "Know ye not," the Apostle
Paul asked, "that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were
Nephi 27:8.) baptized into his death?
"Therefore we are buried with him
by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by
the glory of the Father, even so we
also should walk in newness of life.
"For if we have been planted together
in the likeness of his death, we shall
the name of the
be also in the likeness of his resur-
rection." (Rom. 6:3-5.)
And
then he wrote to the Galatians:
"For ye are all the children of God by
faith in Christ Jesus.
"For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there
is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus.
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to
the promise." (Gal. 3:26-29.)
I told our friend that the true Church
was to be patterned after the Master's
organization, in the which the Apostle
Paul has said we must not be ". . .
strangers and foreigners, but fellow-
citizens with the Saints, ." And the
. .
 "

106 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Sunday, October 6 Third Day

Church must be built upon the

". . . sands each year who are in a state of
foundation of the apostles and prophets, inquiry and uncertainty as were our
Jesus Christ himself being the chief friend and his daughter in South Da-
corner stone;" (Eph. 2:19-20.) kota. They bear witness that all these
There were other specific signs which outward evidences of the true Church
the Master said would follow the are readily discernible. They further
believers in his Church. "He that be- point out the witness of the Holy Ghost
lieveth and is baptized shall be by which all may know the truth of
saved; . . . all things.
"And these signs shall follow them A short while ago in Philadelphia I
that believe; In my name shall they was handed a clipping from a Phila-
cast out devils; they shall speak with delphia newspaper reporting a statement
new tongues; made by the Associate Secretary General
"They shall take up serpents; and if of the State of Churches of the Assembly
they drink any deadly thing, it shall of National Churches representing thirty
not hurt them; they shall lay hands on denominations. The article was entitled
the sick, and they shall recover." "Drift from God in Churches." I shall
(Mark 16:16-18.) read but a few sentences:
I reminded him that there was a "American churches in many cases
need forauthority which cannot be were described today as being too 'public
just assumed, merely, but must be con- relations conscious' more —
eager to
ferred in the Lord's own way as the
Apostle Paul said, "And no man taketh
*****
please the crowd than to please God."

this honour unto himself, but he that "Manychurches, yielding to secular

is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb. practice have become public relations
5:4.) This, the Prophet Joseph Smith conscious. There is as much if not more
made plainer when he said, "We be- concern for the attractiveness of the
lieve that a man must be called of package and the effectiveness of the mar-
God, by prophecy, and by the laying keting techniques than for the quality
on of hands, by those who are in
authority to preach the Gospel and ad-
of the product."
*****
minister in the ordinances thereof." "Modern churches too often have
(Articles of Faith, No. 5.) put the accent on secular yardsticks
And then there was a never, never of success — size, statistics and outward
failing evidence, which might be shock- attractiveness — rather than spiritual
ing to him, which evidences the divinity
of the true Church. The Master said,
dedication."
*****
in almost his closing remarks to "Many congregations would rather
his disciples: have a minister who is a 'good adminis-
"Blessed are they which are perse- trator and promoter' than one who is
cuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs 'a loyal and humble disciple of Jesus
is the kingdom of heaven. Christ, a thinker and a fearless prophet
"Blessed are ye, when men shall re-
vile you, and persecute you, and shall
of the sovereign
*****
and redeeming Lord.'

say all manner of evil against you "Too many people speak vaguely of
falsely, for my sake. the need of 'faith and religion' rather
"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for than of the real need' of God, of a
"
—
great is your reward in heaven: for so
persecuted they the prophets which were
*****
'return to the Father.'

before you." (Matt. 5:10-12.) Then I picked up a clipping also while

And the opposite of that the Master I was in Philadelphia about a year ago
from Dr. Henry P. Van Dusen, president
warned: "Woe unto you, when all men
of the Union Theological Seminary, in
shall speak well of you! for so did their
which he said this, as quoted in the
fathers to the false prophets." (Luke paper:
6:26.) "A sharp and strange contrast between
Our missionaries are finding thou- the upsurge of religion and a decline in
 ELDER HAROLD B. LEE 107

morality was noted by Dr. Henry P. "Cursed he,"is Nephi again said,
Van Dusen, . . . "that putteth his trust in man, or
"It is a disturbing, confounding con- maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken
tradiction that the revival of religion has unto the precepts of men, save their
no parallel resurgence in morality. If precepts shall be given by the power of
the complex and illusive data could be the Holy Ghost." (Ibid., 28:31.)
plotted on a graph, it would show curves Moroni finished the record of his
of religious vitality and of moral health father Mormon and then added some
moving in opposite directions. inspired observations of his own con-
"Thus far, the return to religion in cerning ". things .
. . which must . .

our day has produced no corresponding shortly come (to pass), when these . . .

moral fruitage. the question as

It raises
to the quality and worth of the religion.
"Either there will be moral revival
flowering from religious revival, or the
latter will fritter into futility. And our
things (presumably meaning the com-
ing forth of the Book of Mormon) shall
come forth among you." Now that
means our day. This is what he said
(and note the definition of a prophecy) :

final state will be a religious sterility
to match the moral anarchy.
"Interest in religion appears to be at
an all-time high, with church member-
ship over 100 million, but delinquency,
(I remind you) immorality, and social
confusion also are at peaks."
As I made note of those articles I
thought to myself, it is time for us to
make a critical self-analysis of ourselves
He said, "Behold, I speak unto you as
ifye were present, and yet ye are not.
But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown
you unto me, and I know your doing."
(Mormon 8:34-35.)
You remember what the Master said,
the devil shall rage in the hearts of
men even so much that if it were pos-
sible the very elect according to the
covenant would be deceived. This is

to see how much of this applies to us as what Moroni said: "And I know that
a Church and to us as individuals. ye do walk in the pride of your hearts;
President Wilford Woodruff said and there are none save a few only
something: "The trouble with the who do not lift themselves up in the
Latter-day Saints, we spend too much pride of their hearts, unto the wearing
time confessing the other fellow's sins." of very fine apparel, unto envying, and
Nephi the prophet warned something strifes, and malice, and persecutions,
about this as he predicted about our day. and all manner of iniquities; and your
"Wo unto them that turn aside the churches, yea, even every one, have
just for a thing of naught and revile become polluted because of the pride
against that which is good, and say of your hearts.
that is of no worth! . ."
(2 Nephi .
"For behold, ye do love money, and
28:16.) Obviously this was intended your substance, and your fine apparel,
for those in Zion or for the pure in and the adorning of your churches,
heart of the Church. more than ye love the poor and the
"For behold, at that day," Nephi needy, the sick and the afflicted."
said, "shall he (Lucifer) rage in the (Ibid., 8:36-37.)
hearts of the children of men, and stir As I read that, I thanked the Lord that
them up to anger against that which for a quarter of a century in our life-
is good. time the Church has, through the wel-
"And others will he pacify, and lull fare program, sought to place the proper
them away into carnal security, that emphasis where the Lord has placed it,
they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, by putting foremost the love of the
Zion prospereth, all is well and thus — poor and the needy.
the devil cheateth their souls, and One of the first revelations the Lord
leadeth them away carefully down to said in our day: "And even so I have
hell." (Ibid., 28:20-21.) sent mine everlasting covenant into the
And then he warns, "Therefore, wo world, to be a light to the world, and
be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" to be a standard for my people, and for
(Ibid., 28:24.) the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a
108 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6
messenger before my face to prepare the
way before me." (D&C 45:9.)
"But" the Lord said, "there is a possi-
bility that man may fall from grace
and depart from the living God."
Mark that, you who come in as con-
verts to the Church! "Therefore let the
church take heed and pray always, lest
they fall into temptation;
"Yea, and even let those who are
sanctified take heed also." (Ibid.,
20:32-34.)
The more complicated our lives and
world conditions become, the more im-
portant it is for us to keep clear the
purposes and principles of the gospel
of Jesus Christ. It is not the function
of religion to answer all the questions
about God's moral government of the
universe, but to give one courage,
through faith, to go on in the
of questions he never finds the answer
in his present status.
It was the wise counsel of a thinker
who said: "If the time comes when you
can no longer hold to your faith, then
hold to it anyway. You cannot go into
tomorrow's uncertainty and dangers
without faith."
Let parents and leaders and church
members generally, and hopefully our
nonmember friends and relatives take
heed of the counsels repeatedly given
from our leaders. Allow time to medi-
tate and ponder the things pertaining
to our ministry. Live that we might be
responsive to divine direction. Let me
again, as I close, repeat what I have
quoted before from a revelation of the
Lord. "Search diligently, pray always,
THIRD DAY
AFTERNOON MEETING
The concluding session of the Con-
ference convened at 2:00 p.m., Sunday,
October 6, 1963.
The choral music for this session of
the Conference was furnished by the
Tabernacle Choir, Richard P. Condie,
and Jay E. Welch conducting, Alexander
Schreiner, organist.
President David O. McKay presided
and conducted the services. As an
Third Day
and be believing, and all things shall
work together for your good, if ye walk
uprightly before the Lord and keep the
covenant wherewith ye have covenanted
one with another." (Ibid., 90:24.) This
I pray humbly we may all do in the
name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
President David O. McKay:
Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council
of the Twelve has been our concluding
speaker.
Weshall now end the Sixth Session
of the 133rd Semi-Annual Conference
of the Church with the Tabernacle
Choir singing, "Praise Ye The Lord."
Following the singing the benediction
will be offered by Elder T. Bowring
Woodbury, formerly president of the
British Mission. This Conference will
face
then be adjourned until two o'clock
to
this afternoon.
Wewish to express thanks and appre-
ciation to the owners and managers of
the many television and radio stations
throughout the United States and
Canada who have offered their facilities
as a public service to make the pro-
ceedings of this Conference available to
millions throughout North America,
South America, Africa, and in many
other areas of the world.
The
Tabernacle Choir sang as a clos-
ing number, "Praise Ye The Lord," fol-
lowing which the closing prayer was
offered by Elder T. Bowring Wood-
bury, formerly president of the Brit-
ish Mission.
Conference adjourned until 2:00 p.m.
introduction to the meeting he made the
following preliminary remarks.
President David O. McKay:
Members Church are convened
of the
in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in
SaltLake City in the seventh and con-
cluding session of the 133rd Semi-An-
nual Conference. For those who are
 ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY 109

unable to enter the building we an-
nounce that these services are being seen
and heard in the Assembly Hall over
television. This afternoon many radio
throughout the western part of
stations
the United States will carry the pro-
ceedings of this session. Television sta-
tions in Utah, Idaho, Montana will also
televise this concluding session. The
proceedings of both sessions today will
be rebroadcast to far distant places by
radio station KSL Monday, October 7,
from one o'clock to five o'clock a.m.
The General Priesthood Meeting,
which was the fifth session of this Con-
ference, was held in this Tabernacle,
with an overflow meeting in the As-
sembly Hall. The proceedings of this
Priesthood Meeting were relayed by
closed circuit wire originating in the
Tabernacle to members of the Priest-
hood assembled in 370 locations in all
parts of the United States, including
Alaska and Canada. It is estimated that
70,000 men and boys participated in this
meeting by direct wire, in addition to
the 12,000 present in the Tabernacle
and Assembly Hall.
We extend a cordial welcome to all
—
present this afternoon special guests,
educational leaders, our stake presi-
dencies from far and near, temple
presidencies, bishoprics, members
General Auxiliary Boards, and members
of the Church and friends everywhere
who are listening in by radio and
television.
The music for this session will be
rendered by the Tabernacle Choir, with
Richard P. Condie and Jay E. Welch
conducting. Alexander Schreiner is at
the organ.
Weshall begin this service by the
Tabernacle Choir singing "Lovely Ap-
pear," with Brother Jay E. Welch
conducting. The invocation will be of-
fered by Elder Rudger G. Smith, presi-
dent of the Phoenix North Stake.
The Tabernacle Choir sang as an
opening number, "Lovely Appear," con-
ducted by Jay E. Welch.
Elder Rudger G. Smith, president of
the Phoenix North Stake, offered the
invocation.
President David O. McKay:
The
invocation was offered by Presi-
dent Rudger G. Smith of the Phoenix
North Stake. The Tabernacle Choir
will now sing "Lord, Hear Our Suppli-
cation," conducted by Richard P. Condie.
After the singing Elder Delbert L. Stap-
ley of the Council of the Twelve will
address us.
Selection by the Choir, "Lord, Hear
Our Supplication."
of President David O. McKay:
Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Coun-
cil of the Twelve will be our first
speaker. He will be followed by Elder
EIRay L. Christiansen.

ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brothers and sisters and friends: earth, the God of heaven has estab-
Because of disturbing trends and lished only two nations with basic
alarming conditions in this country of divine purposes. One is the nation of
ours which are of great concern to every which the Lord by his mighty
Israel
loyal, patriotic citizen, I desire to draw
power led out of Egypt under the guid-
related analogies between the nation of
ance of his prophet Moses.
ancient Israel and our own nation in
the light of the revelations of Almighty
The other nation is the United States

God concerning both nations. of America. Prophets in early times

To each nation, God gave promises foretold the events leading to the estab-
of blessings or cursings, depending upon lishment of this mighty gentile nation
the faithfulness of the people. In all and its promised destiny among the na-
the recorded history of man upon the tions of the earth — if its people are
110
Sunday, October 6
faithful in keeping the
of God.
Moses counseled the newborn nation
of Israel to serve the Lord and to keep
his laws and statutes.
them of God's plans and purposes con-
cerning his chosen people and also out-
lined his promises for faithful obedience
to his laws and commandments and the
cursings which would befall them if
they became disobedient and sinful.
From Deuteronomy, I quote the fol-
lowing teachings and admonitions of
Moses to the children of Israel:
"Behold, I set before you this day a
blessing and a curse;
"A blessing, if ye obey the
ments of the Lord your God,
"And a curse, if ye will not obey the
commandments of the
but turn aside out of the way ... to go
after other gods, which ye have not
known." (Deut. 11:26-28.)
"And it shall come to pass, if thou
shalt hearken diligently unto the voice
of the Lord thy God, to observe and
to do all his commandments which
command thee this day, that the Lord
thy God will set thee on high above
allnations of the earth:
"And the Lord shall make thee the
head, and not the tail; and thou shalt
be above only, and thou shalt not be
." (Ibid., 28:1, 13.)
beneath; . .
Regardless of the many prophets,
Israel was periodically blessed with fol-
lowing the death of the great law-
giver, Moses, the continued disobedience
and the contentions among its tribes not
only divided them as a people but also
destroyed them as a nation;
his warning, God scattered
all the nations of the earth.
With these few pronouncements
God to Israel in mind, I turn to the
second nation of destiny, the United
States of America —
a nation established
by God in these latter days in fulfil-
ment of prophecy, with wonderful
promises for obedience to the command-
ments of the Lord and cursings if it fails
to keep his commandments.
There were two groups
fore the time were led
of Christ
away from eastern lands by the Lord
to the Americas, and they became, in
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Third Day
commandments time, quite numerous. Eventually, how-
ever, because of disobedience and wick-
edness, they were destroyed, except a
remnant of the second group who are
He informed the progenitors of the American Indian.
These two migrations of people to the
Americas received knowledge by revela-
tion through their prophets concerning
a powerful gentile nation which was to
be established in the latter days upon
this land by the hand of God.
Now let us briefly examine the revela-
tions and prophecies as recorded in the
Book of Mormon, foretelling America's
discovery, its peopling from the Euro-
pean gentile nations, the events leading
command- to the break with Great Britain, the
. . .
Revolutionary War which secured in-
dependence for the colonies from the
Lord your God, tyranny of oppression of an unjust king
and nation. An angel showed to Nephi,
an American prophet who lived about
six hundred years before Christ, the
many waters which separated the gen-
tilenations from the seed of his breth-
ren. He recorded this vision as follows:
I "And it came to pass that the angel
said unto me: Behold the wrath of
God is upon the seed of thy brethren.
"And I looked and beheld a man
among the Gentiles, who was separated
from the seed of my brethren by the
many waters; and ... the Spirit of
God .came down and wrought upon
. .
the man; and he went forth upon the
many waters, even unto the seed of my
brethren, who were in the promised
land.
"And ... I beheld the Spirit of God,
that it wrought upon other Gentiles;
and true to
and they went forth out of captivity,
Israel among
upon the many waters.
"And ... I beheld many multitudes
of
of the Gentiles upon the land of
promise; . . .
"And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord,
that was upon the Gentiles, and they
it
did prosper and obtain the land for
their inheritance; . . .
"And . who had gone
. . the Gentiles
forth out of captivity didhumble them-
of people be- selves before the Lord; and the power
who of the Lord was with them.
"And I beheld that their mother Gen-
tiles were gathered together upon the
 ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY 111

waters, and upon the land also, to ". . . and the Gentiles shall be blessed
battle against them. upon the land.
"And i beheld that the power of "And this land shall be a land of
God was with them, and also that the liberty unto the Gentiles, and there
wrath of God was upon all those that shall be no kings upon the land, who
were gathered together against them to shall raise up unto the Gentiles.
battle. "AndI will fortify this land against
"And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gen- all other nations." (Ibid., 10:9-12.)
tiles that had gone out of captivity During the Savior's visit to the
were delivered by the power of God Nephites in the Americas after his
out of the hands of all other nations. resurrection and ascension to glory, he,
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, speaking of the gentiles upon this land,
beheld that they did prosper in the promised that he would pour out the
land; ..." (1 Nephi 13:11-20.) Holy Ghost upon the gentiles, "which
From your knowledge of early Ameri- blessing upon the Gentiles shall make
can history, you will recognize Colum- them mighty above all. . .
." (3 Nephi
bus as the man who went forth upon 20:27. Italics added.)
the many waters and discovered the When God confounded the language
Americas. The other facts of this of the people at the tower of Babel, he
prophecy and its fulfilment are also separated a group known as the
known to you from America's recorded Jaredites,and under the direction of a
history. This same prophet, speaking prophet, led them to the land of the
of the house of Israel being scattered and Americas. He revealed to this ancient
confounded, predicted: prophet:
". . . that the Lord God will raise "Behold, this is a choice land, and
up a mighty nation among the Gen- whatsoever nation shall possess it shall
tiles, yea, even upon the face of this be free from bondage, and from cap-
land; ." (Ibid., 22:7.)
. . tivity, and from all other nations under
Lehi, the father of Nephi, and him- heaven, if they will but serve the God
self a prophet, speaking to his descend- of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who
ants and followers, declared that the hath been manifested by the things
land of America is a land of promise, which we have written." (Ether 2:12.
choice above all other lands. Italics added.)
"Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy ac- The Lord also emphasized to this
cording to the workings of the Spirit early prophet that whatsoever nation
which is in me, that there shall none shall possess this land of promise shall
come into this land save they shall be serve God or they shall be swept off
brought by the hand of the Lord. when the fulness of his wrath shall
"Wherefore, this land is consecrated come upon them. And the fulness of
unto him whom he shall bring. And if his wrath cometh upon them when
it so be that they shall serve him ac- they are ripened in iniquity. "This,"
cording to the commandments which he said the prophet, "is an everlasting de-
hath given, it shall be a land of liberty cree of God." (Ibid., 2:8-10.)
unto them; wherefore, they shall never Thus, from ancient American proph-
be brought down into captivity; if so, it ets, we learn that this United States
shall be because of iniquity; for if in- of America was established by God for
iquity shall abound cursed shall be a divine purpose, and that great bless-
the land for their sakes, but unto the ings,which all must admit, as we review
righteous it shall be blessed forever." the history of this nation, have so far
(2 Nephi 1:6-7. Italics added.) been literally fulfilled; yet the fulfil-
Jacob, the brother of Nephi, in an ment of future promise of blessings is
inspirational discourse to his people, conditional upon the continued right-
reaffirmed the Lord's promises to the eousness of its people. A great challenge
gentiles upon this land. He declared: is presented to the citizens of this land
". . the promises of the Lord are
. if God is to be on our side and give
great unto the Gentiles, . . . us power as a nation to overcome our
 — —

112 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Sunday, October 6 Third Day
enemies and not be brought down into all flesh, according to just and holy
captivity. principles;
This nation did not come into being "That every man may act in doctrine
by chance. God declared that the gen- and principle pertaining to futurity, ac-
tiles who came here were to be brought cording to the moral agency which I
out of captivity by his hand. The have given unto him, that every man
prophecies previously quoted concerning may be accountable for his own sins
the establishment of this nation have in the day of judgment.
been fulfilled to the letter. The people "Therefore, it is not right that any
coming here in the beginning did so to man should be in bondage one to
find religious freedom. Nevertheless, another.
they were subjected to tyrannical rule, "And for this purpose have I estab-
unjust demands, and no representation. lished the Constitution of this land, by
They had lost the opportunities, the the hands of wise men whom
I raised

privileges, the religious freedom and
liberty which impelled them to settle
in this new land. The colonists became
an aroused group because of oppression;
therefore, the time had arrived in the
economy of God for the people to
break off the yoke of domination which
subjected them to these unjust and in-
tolerable conditions. The Lord, know-
ing beforehand the events which would
set the pattern for independence, raised
up strong and valiant men to meet this
hour of crisis and challenge. The
Declaration of Independence came from
a determined people. The successful
Revolutionary War which followed
united the colonies; and the gentile
nation of destiny and of divine pur-
pose, as foretold by the prophets, was
born. A Constitution was needed to set
forth the purposes, obligations, and the
guide lines for the new nation. God
was prepared and ready and did not
neglect this newborn nation which he
had ordained to be established thou-
sands of years previously.
I now turn to latter-day scripture to
substantiate this statement, which reve-
lations are not only important for
Latter-day Saints to know and under-
stand, but also for the entire citizenry
of this favored country. The Lord,
through the Prophet Joseph Smith in
December of 1833, counseled in the
midst of their afflictions that "the Saints
should continue to importune for re-
dress, and redemption, by the hands
of those who are placed as rulers and
are in authority over you
"According to the laws and constitu-
tion of the people, which I have suffered
to be established, and should be main-
tained for the rights and protection of
up unto this very purpose, and re-
deemed the land by the shedding of
blood." (D&C 101:77-80.)
God gave the men chosen to formu-
late the Constitution the inspiration of
heaven to guide them. It becomes,
therefore, an enduring document for
this nation. It is not the prerogative of
man to change its basic and funda-
mental principles and concepts.
The dynamic statesman, Daniel Web-
ster, in his last public address before the
New York Historical Society in 1852,
said:
"Unborn ages and visions of glory
crowd upon my soul, the realization of
all which, however, is in the hands
and good pleasure of Almighty God;
but, under His divine blessing, it will
be dependent on the character and the
virtues of ourselves, and of our posterity.
"And let me say, gentlemen, that if
we and our posterity shall be true to
—
the Christian religion if we and they
shall live always in the fear of God,
and shall respect His commandments
if we and they shall maintain just,
moral sentiments, and such conscien-
tious convictions of duty as shall control
—
the heart and life we may have the
highest hopes of the future fortunes
of our country, and if we maintain those
institutions of government and that
political union, exceeding all praise
as muchas it exceeds all former ex-
amples of political associations, we may
—
be sure of one thing that, while our
country furnishes materials for a thou-
sand masters of historic art, it will
afford no topic for a Gibbon. It will
have no decline and fall. It will go
on prospering and to prosper.
"But if we and our posterity reject
 ELDER DELBERT
religious instruction and authority, vio-
late the rules of eternal justice, trifle
with the injunctions of morality, and
recklessly destroy the political constitu-
tion which holds us together, no man
can tell how sudden the catastrophe
may overwhelm us, that shall bury all
our glory in profound obscurity."
How applicable today are these
splendid sentiments and warnings by
this valiant statesman and patriot!
When God established the nation of
Israel, he gave them the Ten Command-
ments, written on tablets of stone by
his own finger. Man, through the cen-
turies, has not altered or changed the
Ten Commandments. The Constitution
of this nation was not written on
tablets of stone like unto Israel, but wise
men were raised up and inspired for
the important task of writing a con-
stitution of government which guaran-
teed the God-given rights of free men.
In the revelation to Joseph Smith
previously quoted, he was told that the
Constitution should be maintained for
the rights and protection of all flesh,
according to just and holy principles,
that it is not right for man to be in
bondage one to another. It guarantees
what God has always bestowed upon
his children —
the rights, privileges, and
honor of a free people. So important is
this latter-day gentile nation established
by God that he required the land to be
redeemed by the shedding of blood.
The blood of the Revolutionary patriots
was upon the field of bat-
freely spilled
tle insure independence and to re-
to
deem the land and make it sacred to
those who possessed it. When the
North and South became divided over
state rights which included slavery, it
was most important in the plan for this
nation that it remain united and strong.
Only by so doing could the nation ful-
fil its destiny and God's purposes and
work. The Civil War resulted in the
death and misery of many souls, and
thus for the second time the land was
redeemed by the shedding of blood.
Truly, God rules in the affairs of
men and nations. This nation has al-
ways been a beacon light to the world,
exemplifying the principles of democ-
racy, freedom, opportunity, achievement,
L. STAPLEY 113
and happiness. It now
wields tremen-
dous influence and power in the affairs
of men and will continue to do so ac-
cording to the promise of God as long
as the people of the land serve the
God of the land who is Jesus Christ.
The Constitution made provision for
an expanded nation, but the founding
fathers and God had no thought of
changing or altering its basic princi-
ples, rules, and concepts.
President Woodrow Wilson defined
the Constitution of the United States
as "Not being a mere lawyer's docu-
ment. It is," said he, "a vehicle of life,
and its spirit is always the spirit of
the age. The explicitly granted powers
of the Constitution are what they al-
ways were; but the powers drawn from
it by implication have grown and
multiplied beyond all expectation."
To interpret this valued document
understandingly, we need to remember
the conditions and circumstances which
confronted the founding fathers, who,
under the inspiration of the Lord,
brought this wonderful instrument of
government into being. So important
was God's will respecting this nation as
revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet,
that in his prayer offered at the dedica-
tion of the Kirtland Temple, he included
this appeal to Almighty God:
"Have mercy, O
Lord, upon all the
nations of the earth; have mercy upon
the rulers of our land; may those prin-
ciples, which were so honorably and
nobly defended, namely, the Constitu-
tion of our land, by our fathers, be
established forever." (D&C 109:54.)
With the knowledge of God's declara-
tion that the Constitution of this land
is inspired of him, it behooves every
citizen to analyze the meaning, im-
portance, and significance of this pro-
found document and give loyal support
to its spirit and purpose. We
cannot
afford to become complacent, forsake
vigilance, and thus lose the benefits of
the promise of blessings upon
Lord's
the people of this goodly land. Also,
we must see to it that the principles, the
standards, the ideals, the rights, the
and the protection guaranteed
privileges,
by the Constitution are upheld by those
who represent us in the executive,
114 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6
legislative, and branches of
judicial
government.
A wise and understanding God had
all this in mind when he gave the
following revelation to the Prophet
Joseph Smith in August 1833:
"And that law of the land which
is constitutional, supporting that prin-
ciple of freedom in maintaining rights
and privileges, belongs to all
and is justifiable before me.
"Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you,
and your brethren of my church, in
befriending that law which is the con-
stitutional law of the land;
"And as pertaining to law of man,
whatsoever is more or less than this,
cometh of evil.
"I, the Lord God, make you free,
therefore ye are free indeed; and the
law also maketh you free.
"Nevertheless, when the wicked rule
the people mourn.
"Wherefore, honest men and wise
men should be sought for diligently,
and good men and wise men ye should
observe to uphold; otherwise whatso-
ever is less than these cometh of evil."
(Ibid., 98:5-10.)
If wickedness prevails and
men rule, then we will be as other
nations. We
will stand alone without
the guiding influence and power of God
to sustain us in time of trouble and in
meeting the challenge and threat of
internal and external Satanic ideologies,
also the evil designs and intrigues of
men and nations.
I quote from a talk given by National
Commander James E. Powers
American Legion which appeared in the
American Legion magazine of Septem-
ber 1963:
"America's deepest roots are spiritual.
This is the most important historical
fact of American life. To ignore
to miss the essence of the heritage, the
character, and the destiny of the Ameri-
can people. Today, with international
and domestic tension tightening, I be-
lieve it is well that we see clearly the
spiritual core of that creed.
American colonies and nation were es-
tablished in turn by men and women
Third Day
who acknowledged openly their reliance
upon almighty God."
Continued righteousness and depend-
ence upon God therefor are the only
guarantees we have for the constant
enjoyment of his blessings upon us,
for he has warned: ". my law shall
. .
be kept on this land." (D&C 58:19.)
The Constitution of the United States
mankind, is to this gentile nation what the Ten
Commandments were and still are to
the nation of Israel.
What a strength and comfort it would
be to the people of this land for God
to fight for this nation if the need
arises as he fought for Israel during
their struggle to build and maintain a
nation. However, Israel's persistence in
disobedience and wickedness destroyed
them as a nation. This fact stands as a
warning to us. What happened to the
nation of Israel can happen to this
nation also if we as a people in this
chosen land fail to obey the laws and
the counsels of God. It will be profit-
able to all of us in the light of the prom-
ises and warnings to this nation to read
again the biblical history of the nation
of Israel. It will help us avoid the
wicked pitfalls which befell them.
I earnestly pray that we shall always
stand firm and stedfast and immovable
in upholding and sustaining the Con-
stitution of this favored land. May we
also selectively and wisely choose those
who are equally valiant and patriotic to
represent us in the top echelons of gov-
—
ernment men who are upright, honest,
and willing to keep the commandments
the of of God in their personal lives.
These truths and considerations I
bear humble witness and testimony to
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
President David O. McKay:
it is
We have just listened to Elder Del-
bert L. Stapley, who recently was hos-
pitalized. We
are glad he is able to be
with us and give us that fine discourse.
Elder EIRay L. Christiansen, Assistant
. . . The to the Twelve, will now speak to us.
Elder Christiansen will be followed by
Elder Antoine R. Ivins.

ELDER ELRAY L.
Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
My beloved brethren and sisters, I have
not forgotten the statement made in one
of the recent general conferences by
Elder Richard L. Evans, who reminded
us that to know is not enough. As
we draw near to the close of this great
and uplifting conference, it seems to
me that the thing that remains is for
us to go to our homes and conform our
lives to the teachings of the Lord Jesus
Christ as they have been expounded
here, lacking not in determination and
in moral courage to do it, for "to know
is not enough."
One of the greatest demonstrations of
moral courage ever shown in this day
was when in the dead of winter, 1846,
the first of the Saints, living in the city
of Nauvoo, rolled their loaded wagons
onto flatboats to be ferried across the
broad, icy Mississippi River. That
marked the beginning of the exodus of
modern Israel. Later in the month,
according to the historians, long cara-
vans crossed the river on a solid floor
of ice.
These people had been living in sub-
stantial and comfortable homes. They
had farmed their fertile lands; they had
completed the construction of the sacred
Nauvoo Temple and had developed an
attractive city, which they proudly re-
ferred to as "Nauvoo the Beautiful." All
these they left behind to move their
families, with what household goods
and provisions that they could take with
them, to make an almost superhuman
trek thirteen hundred miles into an al-
most unknown western land.
With a background of culture and re-
finement, they were not accustomed to
the hardships of improvised shelters
erected against the wintry blasts of
February winds; yet,because of their
faith and their courage, they resolutely
met the challenge, and turning their
backs upon their beautiful homes and
their faces toward the west, they met
whatever was to come. These exiled
people, with implicit trust in their
leaders, chose to ". . seek ye first the
. boy, for more reasons than one, slept
kingdom of God, and his righteous-
ness; .
." (Matt. 6:33.)
. Their physical
—
115
CHRISTIANSEN
courage was equaled only by their
moral courage.
In our day there is a crying need for
this same quality in each of us, espe-
cially the moral courage to resist the
ever-increasing pressures and insidious
influences that are constantly at work,
distorting the truth, tearing down the
good and the decent, and attempting to
substitute therefor the vain and shallow
philosophies and practices of a carnal
world. There is need for the moral
courage to uphold correct principles in
our personal lives and to defend right
and truth and decency and honor, and
above all, to have faith in and honor
God our Father.
It seems to me that moral courage is
made of a firm desire, coupled with de-
termination to accept and to do what
is right and to shun the wrong. It is
the outgrowth of moral conviction. Moral
courage may not be dramatically dis-
played. Seldom does it receive public
acclaim, nevertheless, it is an indis-
pensable attribute of noble character.
It must be exercised if worthwhile
principles and institutions are to be
preserved and perpetuated.
He who stands stedfastly for that
which is right must take the risk of
becoming at times disapproved and un-
popular, or even shunned by others
sometimes by his closest friends. In-
deed, some have become martyrs. Know-
ing what is right and true and
honorable, they have had the courage
to do, not what is easy but what is
right; not what is expedient but what
is best.
think of a young boy with whom
I
I amacquainted, who, rather than join
his companions one night in an esca-
pade that was not in harmony with the
training he had received in his home
and in the Church, chose to walk more
than six miles to his home while his
companions in the car proceeded to
carry out their plans. I imagine that
well when he finally arrived at home.
And no doubt his parents were proud
116 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6
of him. Truly, "A wise son maketh a
glad father." (Prov. 10:1.)
It requires no moral courage to drift
with the multitude or to run with the
"pack," so to speak. The real test is in
choosing and pursuing the right, even
though it appears that in so doing, one
is alone.
Jesus, the personification of this qual-
ity, disagreed with the powerful and
influential Jewish governing body the
Sanhedrin. He referred to certain un-
righteous Pharisees as ". hypocrites! . .
for ye are like unto whited sepulchres,
which indeed appear beautiful outward,
but are within full of dead men's bones,
. .
." (Matt. 23:27.)
And Matthew records him
plainly, ". . . for ye devour widows'
houses, and for a pretence make long
prayer: therefore ye shall receive the
greater damnation." (Ibid., 23:14.)
With righteous fervor he drove out
the money changers, because he could
not bear to see them desecrate the
temple. He was fearless in defense of
correct principles,and although he was
falsely and maliciously accused even
though he was subjected to railings and
mockery of the worst kind he stood
majestically and composed before Pilate
and again before Herod, while the
howling mob cried, "Crucify him, cru-
cify him!" (Luke 23:21.)
He was not concerned with his own
security nor with the indignities he
suffered at the hands of foul men. His
great desire was to do the will of the
Father, even though it meant his
crucifixion.
While we in our day may or may not
be called upon to suffer unduly or to
test our moral courage in the great issues
of the world, there is, nevertheless, al-
ways need for each of us to exercise
self-discipline and moral courage in our
everyday living.
was Lincoln that reminded us that,
It
and I quote: "We must return to ideal-
ism —the
idealism of character and
truth; of integrity in private and public
(affairs) ... no people can ever become
greater by lowering their standards, no
society was ever improved by adopting
a looser morality."
Someone has said our physical fitness
program is wonderful and is
Third Day
we have also a need in our lives for
a moral program. It takes moral
fitness
courage, for instance, to apologize, to
put aside pride and say, "I was wrong,"
or to explain a misunderstanding which,
if ignored, would hurt another person;
or to defend a person when slighting re-
marks are made against his character.
It takes courage to stand up and be
counted when you may not agree with
— the crowd; for example, to plan, and to
live, and to qualify to go to the house
of the Lord when the time comes to
be married even though some of our
associates may do otherwise.
It requires moral courage to tell the
truth regardless of the situation or the
saying consequences, but it pays great dividends
in peace of mind.
It takes courage to resist envy and
hate and anger, the destroyers of happi-
ness. The Bible says: "He that is slow
to anger is better than the mighty; and
he that ruleth his spirit than he that
taketh a city." (Prov. 16:32.)
Have we the moral courage to forgive
or to ask forgiveness? Never is the
— human soul more noble and so cour-
ageous than when it forgives and then
— forgets. Jesus said in a revelation to
Joseph Smith: "Wherefore, I say unto
you, that ye ought to forgive one an-
other; for he that forgiveth not his
brother his trespasses standeth con-
demned before the Lord; for there re-
maineth in him the greater sin.
"I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will
forgive, but of you it is required to
forgive all men." (D&C 64:9-10.)
And Matthew records: "For if ye for-
give men their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you." (Matt.
6:14.)
The religious life of a Latter-day
Saint should be based not upon obliga-
tion and duty alone, but upon a genuine
desire to be honorable, to do good, to
do what is right, to love God, and to
love one another.
Weought to think right and do right
simply because it is right. If there is
to be any moral perfection for us in
this life, it will come because we con-
sistently and automatically do what
is right.
I bear solemn testimony to the fact
needed, but that Jesus is the Christ, that God our
 ELDER ANTOINE R. IVINS 117

Father lives, that Joseph Smith was in- ". . . not remove
till I die I will . . .

deed the Prophet of this dispensation integrity from me." (Job 27:3-5.)
through whom the gospel, the divine I pray for this in the name of Jesus

pattern for living, was restored, and that Christ. Amen.

President David O. McKay is presently
the prophet, seer, and revelator of the
President David O. McKay:
Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us go from here with the deter-
mination and the moral courage to say He to whom we have just listened is

as Job said, ". while my breath is in

. . Elder EIRay L. Christiansen, Assistant
me, . . . to the Twelve. Elder Antoine R. Ivins
"My lips shall not speak wickedness, of the First Council of Seventy will be
nor my tongue utter deceit. our next speaker.

ELDER ANTOINE R. IVINS

Of the First Council of the Seventy

Brethren and sisters: accepted death, and rose from death to

As I stand before you today, I seek an be the first evidence to man of the
interest in your faith and prayers that, resurrection
—
"the first fruits of the
perhaps, I may say something that may resurrection." In so doing he overcame
be of help to some of us. the effects of Adam's act which intro-
Mylife span covers nearly sixty-two duced mortality into the world. It was
percent of the lapsed time since the then possible, through death and the
Church was re-established on the earth resurrection, for man to re-enter the
through the instrumentality of the presence of God in an exalted estate.
Prophet Joseph Smith, Jun. For nearly That man might be exalted, a plan
forty percent of my life I have had of life was given him, and this we
opportunity to observe the forward call the gospel.
movement of the Church as a member Recurring to the fourth Article of
of the First Council of the Seventy. Faith we learn that the first principle
Quite naturally, I have been able to of this plan is that man should have
check, in a way, the responses of the faith in God and in our Redeemer
priesthood members of the Church to Jesus Christ.
the programs instituted, from time to Faith is defined in one biblical pas-
time, for their encouragement and aid. sage as follows: ". . faith is the sub-
.

In this I have reached a conclusion that stance of things hoped for, the evidence
what we, the bearers of the priesthood, of things not seen." (Heb. 11:2.) Faith
most need is faith. gives our yearnings substance and evi-
We declare in the Articles of Faith, dences to us the possibility of actual
"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, accomplishment. With this possibility
and in His Son, Tesus Christ, and in the before us, we undertake things new to
Holy Ghost." Also, "We believe that us, gaining strength and courage, both
the first principles and ordinances of physical and spiritual. In other words,
the Gospel are; first, Faith in the Lord faith in its broadest sense prompts every
Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, act of our lives. We
increase faith in
Baptism by immersion for the remission ourselves by the exercise of our facul-
of sins; and fourth,Laying on of hands ties; we gain faith in our neighbors
for the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Articles when our mutual interchanges accord
1 and 4.) with the gospel plan. gain faith in We
To me this means that we believe —
the gospel plan which means faith in
that God exists; that he is our Eternal —
God by doing the various things re-
Father and the Father of Jesus Christ; quired by it, and this means service.
and we believe in the Holy Ghost. We The only way I have discovered to serve
believe also that Jesus Christ, the Son God is to help his work along among
of God, took upon himself mortal life, his children. As we serve, we gain
118 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6 Third Day

greater of understanding and ap-

power the Church, or even opposition to the
preciation. Man
is that he may have teachings and program of the Church,
joy, and the greatest joy I have experi- implies the need of repentance. It need
enced has come through serving others. not be offensive to suggest to a person
Service, then, becomes a measuring that he change his ways to be more
stick for faith. If men serve faithfully happy. That is what repentance means:
and willingly, it is an indication of a Godly sorrow for acts, improper or
faith. even just not wisely performed, and a
If we apply this measure to the change to a life filled with proper
service of the many men who hold the and correctly performed activities. This
Melchizedek Priesthood, we discover that not only results in one's contentment
too many of us fail to measure to a and happiness but increases his inter-
high standard of service. Shall we call est in others and his service in their
it a lack of faith? behalf. This change brings about a
I like to believe, and this comes from closer relationship with the Spirit of
my experience and observation, that the Lord under whose influence one
many men fail in their interest in the corrects his private life and his social
work of the priesthood from lack of relationships. Why
should it be offen-
responsible opportunity and application. sive to a person to be told that if he
How can a man enjoy doing a thing in will, of his own volition, prove victor
which he is not experienced and over his unfortunate habits, he will
familiar? be happier and more useful?
The program of the Church is suffi- This, brethren and sisters, is one of
ciently broad to offer opportunity for our major problems. Salvation is the
most men to serve in some interesting objective of the Church. May God help
capacity — this must be in a friendly us to realize this purpose.
atmosphere, for most people respond In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
to friendship.
The purpose of the program awaiting President David O. McKay:
initiation at the beginning of the new
year is to surround these inactive Elder Antoine R. Ivins of the First
brethren and sisters with an atmosphere Council of the Seventy has just spoken
of friendship and sincere interest, find- to us.
ing opportunity for attractive and friend- The Choir and congregation will now
ly fellowship and service. sing "How Firm a Foundation." Brother
There is in the Church a veritable Jay E. Welch will lead us. Following
army of men who hold only the Aaron ic this singing we shall hear from Sister
Priesthood, hold no priesthood at all, Annette Richardson Dinwcodey. She
or who, holding the Melchizedek Priest- will sing "I Know That My Redeemer
hood, fail to honor it by active service. Liveth^
Many of these men are burdened with,
and struggle to overcome, habits which The Tabernacle Choir and congre-
make them feel out of harmony with gation joined in singing the hymn,
the program of the Church. When this "How Firm A Foundation," Elder Jay
may be the case, we should give them E. Welch, Assistant Tabernacle Choir
every possible aid in their struggle. conductor, directing. SisterAnnette
There are few things more powerful Richardson Dinwoodey then sang a
than habits. When they are good, solo, "I Know That My Redeemer
they become a great safeguard; when Liveth."
they are not, they reduce their capacity
according to the seriousness of the afflic- President David O. McKay:
tion. Our problem is to aid with as
little embarrassment as possible. Many Thank you, Sister Dinwoodey. We
men of my
acquaintance have made shall now hear from Elder Victor L.
this battle with
themselves success- Brown of the Presiding Bishopric, and
fully and attained to greater happiness. he will be followed by Elder Mark
Changing from a life of inactivity in E. Petersen.

BISHOP VICTOR
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
I believe have a clearer meaning of
I the cost of
what it means "o endure to the end
than I did earlier. [Laughter.]
Michael is now sixteen years of age.
His parents were members of the Piute
Indian tribe. Michael was born with-
out his eyesight. On the Indian reserva-
tion, this was considered a terrible
handicap. His family was very poor,
and a blind boy was more than they
could cope with. So, when Michael
was about seven years old, he was left
on the desert to die. Fortunately, some
passing tourists found him and took
him to a hospital. It took a year for
the doctors and nurses to save his life
and restore his health.
During this experience of being left
on the desert all alone without food
and water, unable to see, Michael's
basic animal instincts for survival be-
came so strong that he almost became
an animal, fearing and hating every-
body and everything. Eight years later,
when I first met him, he told me he
could remember the horror of being all
—
alone hungry, thirsty, and lost.
When he became well enough,
Michael was sent to school. He was
incorrigible. Because of his tragic ex-
perience, he destroyed everything he
—
could get his hands on paper, pencils,
record Everything was his
player.
enemy. suppose the school authorities
I was being confirmed a member
despaired of ever reaching this boy. One
day, they placed a call to a wonderful
Latter-day Saint woman and asked her
if she would mind taking an Indian boy
into her home. She readily agreed.
Michael's nature had not changed. He
still considered everyone his enemy.
He continued to destroy almost every-
thing that came in his way. One day
one of the neighbor boys, a white boy
by the name of Richard, became ac-
quainted with Michael. Richard was
about fifteen years old. He was a
teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. He
took an interest in Michael and fast be-
came his friend.
Richard came to the Presiding Bish-
opric's Office one day and asked about
119
L. BROWN
the Book of Mormon in
Braille. He had been saving his money
for a long time so that he might pur-
chase a Book of Mormon in Braille as
a birthday present for his blind Indian
buddy. The cost was more than Rich-
ard had saved. However, a kind person
made it possible for him to obtain the
book. As Michael read with his fingers,
Richard followed along in his own
Book of Mormon reading out loud, thus
helping Michael over the more difficult
words. As I visited with Michael, he
said he had never read such wonderful
stories. He said that everything he
had read in the past was kid stuff, but
the Book of Mormon was different. I
asked him what the greatest desire of
his heart was. This fifteen-year-old
Indian boy replied: "To become sixteen
years old so I can be baptized a mem-
ber of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints." He explained that
he must wait until his sixteenth birth-
day because of the requirement of the
agency responsible for him.
Michael had his sixteenth birthday
just this August and was baptized by his
buddy, Richard, who is now a priest.
Just four weeks ago, Michael was or-
dained a deacon in the Aaronic Priest-
hood by his foster father.
Michael told his mother that as he
of the
Church, the brightest feeling went
through his entire body. He said, "I
know now what 'white' looks like." This
sixteen-year-old Indian boy who has
never seen the light of day now knows
what "white" looks like. The Holy
Ghost has borne witness to him.
This last school year, Michael, the
boy who was incorrigible, was honored
for his excellence in school —
effort ex-
cellence in deportment, scholarship, and
progress —the only boy so honored by
his school this year. He hopes someday
to teach other blind children as he has
been taught.
Bill is now fifteen. His parents are
Navajo. When Bill was a child, he
was stricken with polio, which left him
 a

120 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Sunday, October 6 Third Day

without the use of his legs. Bill and woman —

Michael are brothers in this foster
home. They are both Boy Scouts. A
year ago, they needed money to go to
Scout camp, so they decided to sell
toothbrushes and toothpaste. They
didn't have much luck in their own
neighborhood, so Michael pushed Bill
in his wheelchair seven miles to another
community where they had some suc-
cess. They said that the most interest-
ing and funniest experience of the day
was when they sold a toothbrush and
some toothpaste to a man who
have any teeth.
Three weeks ago at a stake quarterly
conference, I invited Bill to come to
the front of the chapel and bear his
testimony to over twelve hundred
people. I wish you could have seen
this fifteen-year-oldNavajo Indian boy.
Immaculate in his appearance and with
all the dignity and majesty of a great
chief, he sat in his wheelchair and
humbly expressed
his gratitude to his
Heavenly Father for his many bless-
a woman who had the support
of good and faithful husband
a —
woman who wanted children more than
anything else in the world and who was
not blessed with any of her own. She
wanted them so badly it didn't matter
what their handicaps nor that their
skin was copper color. The love she
gave them was the love she had missed
so desperately during her childhood.
The compassion she blessed these chil-
dren with was the compassion she
longed for and sought but failed to
didn't find as she was growing up. To me she
typifiesthe saint as described by Felix
Adler as he makes the distinction be-
tween a hero and a saint. Paraphrasing
this statement:
"The hero (heroine) is one who
kindles a great light in the world, who
sets up blazing torches in the dark
streets of life for men to see by. The
saint is the man (woman) who walks
through the dark paths of the world,
"
himself (herself) a 'light.'
I suppose that most of the teachings

ings, for his parents, his brothers and of the Master can be gleaned from the
sisters, his membership in the Church lives of this family, also from Richard,
and the blessing of holding the office the white boy, a priest in the Aaronic
of teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. Priesthood, impervious to the taunts of
Bill is a fine artist and hopes someday the other boys as he held Michael's
to become a great architect. hand while they walked down the
Bill and Michael have two lovely, streets, a boy who so loved the Lord
blond, fair-skinned sisters and a baby that he wanted to share the gospel with
brother, Ronnie. Let me tell you about his friend. What a wonderful exam-
Ronnie. As far as we know, he is also ple of living the first two great com-
a Navajo Indian boy. When the agency mandments as found in the twelfth
called this same good mother and asked chapter of Mark, verses thirty and
if she would take a three-year-old In- thirty-one:
dian baby into her home, they said that "And thou shalt love the Lord thy
the child was totally incapacitated. He God with all thy heart, and with all
could not walk; he could not talk. They thy soul, and with all thy mind, and
explained the outlook for him as almost with all thy strength: this is the first
hopeless. Notwithstanding this, she comandment.
accepted him into her home. When I "And the second is like, namely, this,

met Ronnie the other day, he had a Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy-
mischievous twinkle in his eye and a self. There is none other commandment
smile on his face as he ran and tried greater than these."
to escape from one of his sisters as — There is such a desperate need in
normal a four-year-old as I have ever the world today for this kind of love,
seen. for each mother to want her children,
Ablind boy, a crippled boy, a child to want them so badly that her love
who was a complete invalid each one — transcends all else. A mother's love is
destined to a life of misery and hopeless- one of the basic instincts God has im-
ness, but for the love, compassion, char- planted in a woman's heart. It is so
ity, and understanding of a wonderful basic that it exists in all animals that
 ELDER MARK
bear offspring, and yet there are those
who fail to use this love wisely.
From studies made by social workers,
they find that when children get into
trouble it is altogether too often because:
Mother's social status is reflected
1.
through her child.
2. Mothers push their children into
mature social experiences far beyond
their age.
3. There is a feeling on the part of
parents of getting the child out of the
home so they can have more freedom,
so they can be to themselves, and so
they can travel and not be hampered
by having children in the home.
4. All too often the child is not
taught dependability and self-reliance.
He on his own.
is left
5. Another major contributing
isthat the parents are not home enough.
Mothers, you most of all have the
destiny of this generation in your hands.
Surely, we fathers have a part as do
we leaders of youth, but nothing we
can do will compare with a mother's
love if it is wisely placed.
Now, may I just mention a group
of mothers. I think there are about
four thousand of them. These mothers
have a special place in heart. They my
are the mothers whose husbands are
bishops in this great Church. The
other day a lovely young mother, the
wife of a bishop, wrote me a sweet
letter. She expressed, among other
things, a need for encouragement so she
would always be an inspiration to her
ELDER MARK
Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
President McKay is always so gracious
and so wonderful. I love him with all
my heart, as you do, and with all my
soul I sustain him as our great prophet
leader. I am grateful for his courtesy
at this time.
I have been greatly stirred by this con-
ference. have been stirred more than
I It has taken me eight months now to
normally, I suppose, because of the
experiences my wife and I have had in
the last eight or nine months. I now
see the Church in a new perspective.
am a different man from what I was
E. PETERSEN 121
husband, so that she would have the
strength to suppress the normal feelings
of loneliness and discouragement, of
being left alone so much of the time,
of having to shoulder a great share of
the responsibility of rearing her chil-
dren than would otherwise be the case,
and of being the last one to know what
is going on in the ward. I suppose this
runs contrary to the basic nature of
most women.
We want you to know that you are
not forgotten for a moment. We
meet
your husbands more often than we do
you, and perhaps we talk about them
more. Wewant you to know that we
are fully aware that behind every good
bishop in this Church is a good woman,
a woman who, through sharing her
factor strength, is instrumental in making a
good man.
May God bless all good women
everywhere that their love may bless
mankind, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
President David O. McKay:
We have just listened to Bishop Vic-
tor L. Brown, a member of the Pre-
siding Bishopric.
We shall now hear from Elder Mark
E. Petersen, of the Council of the
Twelve, and President of the West
European Mission, who has just recently
left the sick bed, but we are glad he is
able to say a few words to us before he
goes back to Great Britain.
E. PETERSEN
year ago. I am a different kind of
Latter-day Saint. I have come to realize
that the great mission of this Church
is that which President McKay has
taught us so often in our council meet-
—
ings that we must bear testimony to
the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
realize how far the world has drifted
away from belief in the Savior. It has
taken newspaper articles and books and
I sermons, all from clergymen of various
a faiths, in which they deny the existence
122 GENERAL
Sunday, October 6
of God, in which they declare they
no longer believe in the divinity of the
Savior, in which they say they do not
believe the Bible is the word of God
any more.
It has taken newspaper articles tell-
ing of the iniquities of the world, the
sins, the diseases from the sins that have
come upon the people of the world, to
make me realize how far the world has
drifted away. And it has taken all of
this to make me realize that there is
only one cure for the world. It is not
in political parties. It is not in the
philosophies of men. There is only one
cure for the evils of this world, and for
the broken hearts of men and women,
and that is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the living of that faith by obedience
to the commandments of the Lord our
God. There is nothing that can compare
with it. There is no other answer. It is
obedience to Christ, or it is dissolution.
Now, as I have been stirred by these
remarkable addresses that we have lis-
tened to, and as I have looked about
over this great audience, I have come to
realize more and more that there is only
one voice in all the world that can bear
testimony to these groping nations that
Jesus is the Christ. I mean only one
voice of authority, and that is the voice
of the Latter-day Saints. We
are the
only authoritative voice declaring to the
world that Jesus is the Christ.
Weknow that God lives because our
prophets have seen him and talked with
him. We
know that Jesus is the Christ
because our prophets have communed
with him, and we know
that he lives
because of the testimony of the Holy
Ghost that burns within us.
We, therefore, as a united people
must declare to all mankind that he
lives and that he is a power in the
world and that he is our only salvation
from the destruction that is sure to
come upon this evil world unless they
repent. We must raise the voice of
testimony. We must raise the voice
of repentance.
PRESIDENT DAVID
We are nearing the end of a great con-
ference, as usual, the best ever.
C
Third Day
But how
strong a voice can you
raise? How
strong a testimony can you
bear? Your testimony is no stronger
than your obedience. I wonder how
much your testimony has been watered
down by your disobedience even in lit-
tle things here or there. But God
expects that you will bear a mighty
testimony to the world that he lives,
that he has spoken in our day, that
Jesus is the Christ, and that destruction
will come upon the world unless we
obey him and keep his commandments.
Howstrong is your testimony? I would
have you know that your words alone
are not enough. I would have you know
that it is only your word supported by
your righteous lives that can give testi-
mony to the world in such sincere tones
that men and women will pay atten-
tion to you.
Oh, how I admire your sons and your
daughters who are traveling through the
countries of Europe as well as the rest
of the world, humbly bearing testimony
of this great truth. How sincere they
are! How
many of our converts say,
"The thing that impressed me was the
sincerity of the missionaries," and that
is the thing that is going to impress all
the world from you.
So my brief message here today is,
brothers and sisters, let us live the gos-
pel so that our living will give meaning
to our words, and that when we bear
testimony that we know that he lives,
that they will feel it by the sincerity of
our words and our lives.
I bear you testimony that I know he
lives, and I am raising my voice as
loudly and as strongly as I know how
to declare it to everyone who is willing
to listen. Jesus lives. He is the Christ.
He is the Son of God. He is the Divine
Redeemer. He is the Creator of the
worlds, and if we will but follow him,
—
great will be our joy salvation in this
life and eternal life in the world
tocome.
This testimony I bear to you in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
O. McKAY
should just like to say a word now
I
about our responsibility to carry these
 ——

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 123

great messages to which we have been The Lord did not come down Himself
listening since last Friday morning to prove to men His worth,
carry them to our homes and not let He sought our worship through the
it stop when we say "Amen" this Child He placed upon the earth.
afternoon.
We are told that God so loved the "How can I best express my life? Where-
world that he gave his Only Begotten in does greatness lie?
Son, that whosoever believeth in him How can I long remembrance win,
should not perish but have everlasting since I am bom to die?

life. Let us, therefore, follow our Heav- Both fame and gold are selfish things;
enly Father's example and bring up our their charms may quickly flee,
own sons and daughters in the faith But Fm the father of a boy who came
of the gospel of Jesus Christ. to speak for me.
There is a greater responsibility rest-
"In him lies all I hope to be; his splen-
ing upon us now than perhaps ever be-
dor shall be mine;
fore in the history of this country. The
I shall have done man's greatest work
testimony to which we have just lis-
if only he is fine.
tened from Brother Petersen is reaching
If some day he shall help the world
into the homes of millions throughout
long after I am dead,
the world.
In all that men shall say of him my
Last night we listened to two young
praises shall be said.
men give sermons on the power of self-
control. I am
sure their parents are "It matters not what I may win of
very proud of them, and so are we all. fleeting gold or fame,
The tens of thousands of men holding My hope of joy depends alone on what
the priesthood sat silently and almost my boy shall claim.
breathlessly as they listened to the ser- My story must be told thru him; for
mons of those two young men. I hope him I work and plan,
all who are within the sound of my Man's greatest duty is to be the father
voice will have the same pride as those of a man."
parents have for those two boys that — —Edgar A. Guest
your sons will bear the same testimony
and accept the same ideals that a hun- "Thoughts of a Father"
dred thousand whom those two boys
represented last night have in their
One of our greatest duties as we
leave this great conference is to have
hearts to attain.
the spirit of the gospel in our homes.
There comes to my mind now a poem
Fathers, set a proper example to your
about a father who paid this tribute
to his son, or rather felt pride in his
boys. And mothers, teach them in
accordance with the Doctrine and
boy and the responsibility of rearing
Covenants, faith in God, repentance,
him as these hundred thousand boys
and baptism.
last night. It runs something like this
One man, not in our Church, sug-
gests this to his son:
"We've never seen the Father here, but
"I have no wealth to leave you, and no
we have known the Son,
fame.
The finest type of manhood since the
world was first begun,
This must be your inheritance: My
And summing up name.
the works of God, I

write with reverent pen.

It has not been my fate, in life's sharp
struggles,
The greatest is the Son He sent to cheer
To win the honors other men have won.
the lives of men. Mine has not been a life of great
achievements;
"Through Him we learned the ways of I have not done the deeds some men
God, and found the Father's love; have done.
The Son it was who won us back to But I have kept unsullied and un-
Him who reigns above. tarnished
 —

124 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Sunday, October 6 Third Day

That thing —a name —entrusted to my great messages and glorious singing have
care; made it so. The responsibility with us
I have not let dishonor dim its luster, now is to carry the spirit of the gospel
Nor have I let shame leave its black of Jesus Christ in our homes. Do not
mark there. break them up through divorce. Make
I have not let my name be classed with good your promises in the temple,
malice hold them sacred and be true to
Nor fear, nor moral cowardice, nor every covenant. This is every father's
greed, responsibility.
Nor bigoted intolerance towards others Our homes are the seedbeds of faith
Nor lack of charity for those in need. in Christ our Lord, who stands at the
But I have made, instead, my name head, and who is God's Beloved Son. In
synonymous, his name I bless the members of the
In all men's minds, with things the priesthood, the entire membership of
most worthwhile; the Church in all countries. God's
With strength to do the right, though peace and happiness be with you in
none might see me; your hearts and in your homes every-
With grit to meet disaster with a smile; where, I pray in the name of Jesus
With loyalty to those with claims upon Christ. Amen.
me;
With justice equally toward foe and President David O. McKay:
friend;
With honor, truth, integrity, square- We have been blessed with marvelous
dealing, singing by the Choir, and I have said so
'My word my bond,' many times, "Thank you," that maybe
Now, as I reach the end, you are getting tired of it, but we are
Too well I know that I have failed in not tired of your singing, and we are not
efforts tired of saying "God bless you, brethren
Where I have wanted greatly to suc- and sisters, for your excellent singing
ceed; here in the Tabernacle and in all the
Too oft I've seen my dreams, bright in world." Thank you, and God bless yon!
the forming, On the evening of September 4, 1963,
Prove naught but vain imaginings, through the kindness of KSL, whose
indeed. representatives had placed a wire exten-
sion in our apartment at the Hotel,
"But this I do believe; when I have Sister McKay and I listened to the New
traveled York Philharmonic Orchestra and the
Life's twisting road, and worked out Tabernacle Choir make recordings for
Life's great plan, — a new album of Christmas Carols. We
When I have gone beyond Life's praise want to thank those who were kind
or blaming, enough to let us join in that great
It will be said of me, 'He was a man!' testimonial. We sat up until ten o'clock
And so, because of this, I feelno shame, listening to Mr. Bernstein's masterful
When 1 bequeath to you, my son, my conducting of the 375 singers and 115
name." musicians in rehearsing and recording
the 16 Christmas Carols. wereWe
That the duty of every father in
is
thrilled with what we heard.
Israel —every
man who has a son or I said to Sister McKay at the time
that I thought it was remarkable how
daughter. Let us make our homes
places in which the Spirit of God will the Tabernacle Choir cooperated with
Mr. Bernstein and the Orchestra in their
be pleased to dwell. And may each
work. It was a good illustration to me
boy who bears his father's name, live
of what this Choir will do to furnish
to honor it, not bring disgrace upon a
music for the Church, and I went to
mother who loves you and a father who bed that night with a higher apprecia-
has given you a name. tion of what the Tabernacle Choir is
This has been a great conference, doing for the Church and for hundreds
 PRESIDENT DAVID
of thousands outside of the Church with
their beautiful music. I felt then that
Mr. Bernstein could not have found
another body of singers equal to our
own great Tabernacle Choir.
We express our thanks and apprecia-
tion to all who have furnished the sing-
ing throughout this Conference first to —
the Relief Society Singing Mothers from
the Phoenix-Mesa (Arizona) area, Sister
Florence Jepperson Madsen conducting
the two sessions on Friday; second, the
Tabernacle Choir under Brother Con-
die for the broadcast session Saturday
morning; to the Brigham Young Univer-
sity Chorale with Kurt Weinzinger
conducting, who furnished the music
for Saturday afternoon. The men of
the Tabernacle Choir, with Brother
Condie conducting who furnished the
music for the Saturday evening Priest-
hood session; and again today the Tab-
ernacle Choir, with Richard P. Condie
and Jay E. Welch conducting.
We express appreciation and gratitude
to all who have in any way contributed
to the success and inspiration of this
great Conference. We
appreciate the
attention given by national press repre-
sentatives, and by representatives of
radio and television in reporting the
sessions of this Conference. We
appre-
ciate the cooperation of City officials,
the City traffic officers handling care-
fully and ably the increased traffic; the
Fire Department, the Red Cross, who
have been on hand to render assistance
and service whenever and wherever
needed.
We are also grateful for what our
Tabernacle ushers do in rendering quiet,
efficient service in seating the great
audiences at this Conference. We
are
most grateful, as I previously mentioned,
to the many owners and managers of
radio and television stations throughout
the nation and our own City, who have
carried the sessions of this Conference
from Coast to Coast, to Alaska, Hawaii,
and Canada, and by short-wave to lis-
teners in over 100 countries in many
parts of the world. This extensive radio
and television coverage has given this
133rd Semi-Annual Conference the wid-
estdissemination in the history of the
Church. We
are thankful and grateful
to the Lord that millions have been
O. McKAY 125
given the opportunity to tune in on the
proceedings of this General Conference.
Tonight the Deseret Sunday School
Union Conference will convene in this
building at 7:00 o'clock. All Sunday
School workers will wish to be in at-
tendance, and the public is cordially
invited.
Ward Sacrament meetings will be
held this evening in the various wards.
The Tabernacle Choir will now sing
"Blessed Jesu, Fount of Mercy." The
benediction will be offered by Elder
Ray Engebretsen, formerly president of
the Norwegian Mission, after which this
Conference will stand adjourned for
six months.
The Tabernacle Choir sang "Blessed
Jesu, Fount Of Mercy," following which
they sang in conclusion, "God Be With
You 'Til We Meet Again."
Elder Ray Engebretsen, formerly
president of the Norwegian Mission,
pronounced the benediction.
Conference adjourned for six months.
The Relief Society Singing Mothers
from the Phoenix-Mesa area furnished
the music for the morning and after-
noon sessions on Friday. Florence Jep-
person Madsen conducted the singing
of these sisters.
The musical numbers for the Satur-
day morning session were furnished by
the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir,
with Richard P. Condie conducting.
At the Saturday afternoon meeting,
the Brigham Young University Chorale,
Kurt Weinzinger conductor, presented
the musical numbers.
The Men of the Salt Lake Mormon
Tabernacle Choir furnished the musical
selections for the General Priesthood
Meeting Saturday evening, with Richard
P. Condie conducting.
On Sunday the Salt Lake Mormon
Tabernacle Choir furnished the music
for the morning and afternoon sessions,
with Richard P. Condie and Jay E.
Welch, Conductor and Assistant Con-
ductor respectively, directing the singing.
Richard P. Condie directed the sing-
ing of the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle
Choir on the Church of the Air program
126 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 6 Third Dai:

and also the Tabernacle Choir and and Roy M. Darley, Assistant Taber-
Organ broadcast. nacle organist.
Accompaniments on the great organ
were played by Alexander Schreiner and Joseph Anderson
Frank W. Asper, Tabernacle organists, Clerk of the Conference

CHURCH OF THE
Columbia Broadcasting System's
Church of the Air was presented at
7:35 a.m. Sunday, October 6, 1963. The
program was as follows:
The Tabernacle Choir, under the di-
rection of Richard P. Condie, furnished
the music for this service. Richard L.
Evans was the announcer.
Music: Organ and humming choir:
"Sweet Is The Work."
Announcer: The Church of the Air is
presented by CBS Radio so that repre-
sentatives of many faiths may address
a nation-widecongregation. Today's
service, presented by the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comes
to 'you from the Mormon Tabernacle on
Temple Square, through the facilities
of Radio Station KSL in Salt Lake City,
Utah. Our speaker is Elder Gordon B.
Hinckley, member of the Council of the
Twelve Apostles of the Church. Music
is by the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle
Choir, directed by Richard P. Condie.
From a southern hymn tune, Virgil
Thompson has arranged a setting for
words suggested by the 23rd Psalm: "My
ELDER GORDON
Of the Council
As I speak to you I am aware that I
have come into your homes as your
guest. I should like to talk with you
about our homes. I am confident that
you feel some concern, as do I, for the
homes of America.
Recently I thumbed through the sum-
mary of the FBI Uniform Crime Report
for 1962. In a few words and with a
few charts it told a disturbing story
six percent increase in serious crimes
in the period of a single year, a nine
percent increase in auto thefts, arrests
of young people under 18 up nine per-
cent, with female arrests increasing at a
faster rate than male arrests. The ques-
tion that came to mind immediately
was how long can we go on with a
nine percent increase in youth arrests
each year?
One of our national magazines
cently carried these words on the
a )
127
AIR
Shepherd will supply my need. Jehovah
is his name. In pastures fresh he makes
me feed beside the living stream."
(The Choir sang: "My Shepherd Will
—
Supply My Need." Arr. Thompson.)
Announcer: And now from the Salt
Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir we
hear Charles Gounod's setting for a text
paraphrased from Psalm 137 "Here by
—
Babylon's Wave." "Though heathen
hands have bound us, though afar from
our land, the pains of death surround
us; Sion! Thy mem'ry still in our hearts
we are keeping, and still we turn to
Thee, our eyes all sad with weeping."
(The Choir sang: "By Babylon's
—
Wave." Gounod.
Announcer: We
hear now on this
Church of the Air service Elder Gordon
B. Hinckley, who has had a distin-
guished career in Church and Civic
Service, and who is a member of the
Council of the Twelve Apostles of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, frequently referred to as the Mor-
mon Church. Today's talk is titled:
"Except the Lord Build the House. ." . .
B. HINCKLEY
of the Twelve Apostles
"Morality U.S.A. Do we need a new
code to solve our crisis of immorality?
Have our churches failed? Has money
become God? Is sexual morality gone?"
(Look, September 24, 1963) I read this
provocative article. I have read others
of similar tone written by men of gov-
ernment, industry, and education who
have expressed themselves with deep
— concern over the moral crisis that evi-
dently is sweeping across the land.
I am not one to believe that all was
good in the long ago, and that all is
bad today. I think this is the greatest
age the world has known. But I am
also confident that there is trouble in
the land.
The article referred to above states:
"We are witnessing the death of the
old morality . The established
. . moral
re- guidelines have been yanked from our
cover: hands. Weare left floundering in a
128 GENERAL CONFERENCE
money-motivated, sex-obsessed, big city
dominated society. We must figure out
for ourselves how to apply the tradi-
tional moral principles to the problems
of our times. Many find this burden
too heavy." (Idem, p. 74.)
I should like to add that many of our
youth will not and cannot figure out for
themselves how to apply the traditional
moral principles. They find this burden
much too heavy. They must have help.
They must have guidance. They must
have example.
Private and public morality are rooted
in the homes of the people. No nation
is stronger than its homes. It is in the
home that examples of virtue are
best caught and lessons of virtue are
best taught.
It was said of old, "Except the Lord
build the house, they labor in vain that
build it." (Psalm 127:1.)
And so I welcome this opportunity to
talk with you, and particularly you
parents of the youth of America, on a
theme on which I have expressed my-
self previously, and one which I feel
is timely.
All agree that we need a new empha-
sis on honesty, character and integrity.
All agree that only as we build again
into the fiber of our lives the virtues
which are the essence of true civilization
will the pattern of our times change.
The question that confronts us is,
Where shall we begin?
I am satisfied that it must begin with
recognition of God as our Eternal
Father, of our relationship to Him as
His children, with communication with
Him in recognition of His sovereign
position, and with daily supplication for
His guidance in our affairs.
I submit that a return to the old pat-
tern of prayer, family prayer in the
homes of the people, is one of the
simple medicines that would check
the dread disease that is eroding the
fiber ofour character. We could not ex-
pect a miracle in a day, but in a genera-
tion we would have a miracle.
A generation or two ago family prayer
in the homes of Christian people
throughout the world was as much
part of the day's activity as were the
meals. As that practice has diminished,
our moral decay has ensued. I fear that
as the quality of our housing has im-
proved, the spirit of our homes has
deteriorated.
The discipline that is needed in our
lives is the discipline that comes from
within. Many are crying for more
legislation and stricter law enforcement.
I do not disparage these as expedients,
but I fear they are only expedients. Vir-
tue, integrity, honesty do not come of
imposition from without. They are the
fruits of good teaching and good exam-
ple, and that teaching and that example
are best followed when they are found
in the home.
Paul of old declared to Timothy:
"This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come. For men
shall be lovers of their own selves, . . .
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, un-
thankful, unholy, without natural af-
fection, . . . despisers of those that are
good, traitors, heady, high-minded,
lovers of pleasure more than lovers of
God." (II Timothy 3:1-4.)
His words fit in a remarkable way the
conditions described in the magazine
article to which I have referred. Simple
as it may sound, I think daily prayer
in the homes of the nation would in a
generation lift our heads above the flood
that evidently is engulfing us.
I feel satisfied that there is no ade-
quate substitute for the morning and
evening practice of kneeling together
before the Lord —
father, mother, and
children. The very practice of kneeling
together with thankful hearts evaporates
some of those qualities described by
Paul: "Disobedient to parents, without
natural affection."
There is something in the very pos-
ture of kneeling that contradicts some
of the attitudes he noted: "Proud,
heady, highminded."
The inclination to be unholy, as Paul
described it, to be unthankful, is erased
as together the family thank the Lord
for life and peace and all they have.
And as they thank the Lord for one
another there is developed within the
family a new appreciation, a new re-
spect, a new affection one for another.
a I know of nothing that will ease fam-
ily tensions, that in a subtle way will
bring about that respect for parents
which leads to obedience, that will
 CHURCH OF THE AIR
effect a spirit of repentance which will
largely erase the blight of broken homes,
than will praying together, verbally
confessing our weaknesses before the
Lord, and invoking the blessings of the
Lord upon the home and those who
dwell there.
In remembering together before the
Lord the poor, the needy, and the op-
pressed there is developed, uncon-
sciously but realistically, a love for
others above self, a respect for others,
a desire to serve the needs of others.
One cannot ask God to help a neigh-
bor in distress, without feeling moti-
vated to do something oneself. What
miracles would happen in the lives of
the children of America if they would
lay aside their selfishness and lose
themselves in the service of others. The
seed from which this sheltering and
fruitful tree may grow is best planted
and nurtured in the daily supplications
of the family.
I know of better way to inculcate
no
love for country than for parents to pray
before their children for the land in
which we live, invoking the blessings of
the Almighty upon it that it may be
preserved in liberty and in peace. I
know of no better way to build within
the hearts of our children a much-
needed respect for authority than re-
membering in the daily supplications of
the family the President and the Con-
gress and others who carry the burdens
of government.
On the route I travel daily is a sign-
board which reads: "A world at prayer
is a world at peace." You have seen
others like it. I believe it speaks a
fundamental truth. I am satisfied that
we shall not have peace unless and
until we request it in the name of the
Prince of Peace and then reform our
lives to be worthy of it.
The hall from which I speak, the
great Mormon Tabernacle on Temple
Square in Salt Lake City, was con-
structed by a people who loved free-
dom, who worshipped God, and who
prayed in their simple pioneer homes,
as did most of the pioneers who laid
the foundations of all that we in Amer-
ica today enjoy.
In 1872 Colonel Thomas L. Kane of
Philadelphia visited Utah with his wife
129
and two sons. They traveled by wagon
some three hundred miles to the south-
ern part of the state, stopping each
night in the homes of the people in the
little frontier settlements along the way.
Mrs. Kane wrote a series of letters to
her father in Philadelphia. In one of
them she said: "At every one of the
places we stayed on this journey we had
prayers immediately after the dinner-
supper, and prayers again before break-
fast. No one was excused The Mor-
. . .
mons kneel at once, while the head of
the household, or an honored guest
prays aloud They spend very little
. . .
time in ascriptions, but ask for what
they need, and thank Him for what He
has given . (They) take it for granted
. .
that God knows our familiar names
and titles, and will ask a blessing on (a
particular individual by name). I liked
this when I became used to it."
It was so in the pioneer homes across
the land. With the faith that came of
these daily invocations these people
grubbed the sagebrush, led the waters
to the parched soil, made the desert
blossom as the rose, governed their
families in love, lived in peace one with
another and with the world, and made
their names immortal as they lost them-
selves in the service of God.
We cannot pray in our public schools,
but we can pray in our homes, and in so
doing we shall reweave into the char-
acter of our children the moral strength
which will become the fiber of a better
society. "Seek ye the Lord while he
may be found." (Isaiah 55:6.)
This simple practice, a return to fam-
ily worship, spreading across the land
and over the earth, would in a genera-
tion do much to lift the blight that is
destroying us. It would restore integrity,
mutual respect, and a spirit of thank-
fulness in the hearts of the people.
Wedo not need a new moral standard
in our modern society. The laws of God
have not been abrogated. They were not
given to one generation to be laid aside
by another. Their disregard can result
only in trouble, misery, and insecurity
as witness the fruits of the erosion of
morality among us. Their application
is the way of life and peace and progress.
And so to you, who sit in your homes
in this great land, established and pre-

130 GENERAL CONFERENCE
served under the hand of the Almighty,
I plead for a return to recognition of
Him, and daily supplication to Him.
The Master declared, "Ask, and it shall
be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock and it shall be opened unto you."
(Matthew 7:7.)
I give you my testimony that you
shall not go away unrewarded. The
changes may not be readily apparent.
They may be extremely subtle. But
they will be real, for "God is a rewarder
of them that diligently seek Him."
(Hebrews 11:6.)
As we change ourselves and our chil-
dren, developing within them a new
respect, a spirit of gratitude, a becoming
humility, we
shall reform our society.
God bless us with the faith to call
upon Him, at the altar of our homes, I
pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(The Choir sang: "Lovely Appear."
Gounod.)
Announcer: With the music of
Charles Gounod we have heard the
Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir
sing these words taken from two Old
Testament texts: "Lovely Appear over
the mountains, the feet of them that
preach, and bring good news of peace.
Ye mountains, ye perpetual hills, bow
ye down. Over the barren wastes shall
flowers now have possession."
SALT LAKE MORMON
TABERNACLE CHOIR AND ORGAN BROADCAST
The following broadcast, written and
announced by Richard L. Evans, and
originating with Station KSL, Salt Lake
City, Utah, was presented from 8:35 to
9:00 a.m. Sunday, October 6, 1963,
through the courtesy of Columbia
Broadcasting System's network, through-
out the United States, parts of Canada,
and through other facilities to several
points overseas. The broadcast was
as follows:
(The organ played, "As The Dew
From Heaven Distilling," and on sig-
nal the Choir and organ broke into the
Hymn, "Gently Raise The Sacred
Strain," singing the words to the end of
the second line, and humming to end of
) —
From the Salt Lake Mormon Taber-
nacle Choir we hear a hymn of solid,
fervent faith: "How firm a foundation,
Ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your
faith in His excellent word! What more
can He say than to you He hath said,
You who unto Jesus, for refuge have
fled?"
(The Choir sang: "How Firm a
Foundation." —
Anon.
Announcer: In closing the Salt Lake
Mormon Tabernacle Choir recalls the
words of John Henry Newman and the
music of John B. Dykes: "Lead, kindly
light, amid the encircling gloom; Lead
thou me on! The night is dark, and I
am far from home; Keep thou my feet;
I do not ask to see The distant scene
one step enough for me."
(The Choir sang: "Lead, Kindly
Light."— Dykes.)
Announcer: You have been attending
CBS Radio's Church of the Air. Today's
service came to you from the Mormon
Tabernacle on Temple Square, through
the facilities of Radio Station KSL in
Salt Lake City, Utah. Our speaker was
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, member of
the Council of the Twelve Apostles of
the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints.
Music was by the Salt Lake Mormon
Tabernacle Choir, directed by Richard
P. Condie.
verse for announcer's background.)
Announcer: Once more we welcome
you within these walls with music and
the spoken word from the Crossroads
of the West.
The CBS Radio Network and its af-
filiated stations bring you at this hour
another presentation from Temple
Square in Salt Lake City, with Richard
P. Condie conducting the Tabernacle
Choir, Frank Asper, Tabernacle Organ-
ist, and the Spoken Word by Rich-
ard Evans.
With the music of Charles Gounod,
the Tabernacle Choir sings first a sacred
song of our Lord and Savior, "O Di-
vine Redeemer."
 ) )
CHOIR AND ORGAN BROADCAST
(The Choir sang: "O Divine Re-
deemer." Gounod.—
Announcer: With Frank Asper at the
Tabernacle Organ on Temple Square
we hear a melody of the quiet closing
of another day of life: "Evensong" by
Robert Schumann.
(Organ selection: "Evensong." Schu-
mann.)
Announcer; The Tabernacle Choir
turns now to a Welsh hymn tune by
John Hughes, CWM
Rhonda, with the
words of Robert Robinson: "Guide Us,
O Thou Great Jehovah, guide us to the
promised land, We
are weak but Thou
art able, hold us with thy pow'rful
hand When the earth begins to
. . . the land, and they must be lived.
tremble, bid our fearful tho'ts be still;
When Thy judgments spread destruc-
tion, Keep us safe on Zion's
(The Choir sang: "Guide Us,
Great Jehovah." Hughes.) — must have the character and the con-
Announcer: We cite once more these
words of Winthrop Aldrich: "It must be
the aim of education to teach the citi-
zen that he must first of all rule him-
self. .
n This question of self-control
.
.'
is a compelling question, and includes
control of thoughts, of appetites, of ac-
tions; control of attitudes; control of
what we do with time, and the direction
in which we point our lives into eter-
nity. There is a significant sentence
from John Locke, which says: ". every
man must sometime or other be trusted
to himself." 2 When God gave us our
free agency, we were in a sense trusted
to ourselves, and we became account-
able. But whenever someone does some-
thing he shouldn't he
justify himself, to seek to shift responsi-
bility,to say that pressures or outside
influences moved him to do what he
did, and that he is not responsible for
his own If this were so, no law
actions.
would have any force or effect,
in fact
because essentially we would be saying
that we cannot be held accountable.
Some become enslaved with compulsive
habits or yield to appetites or to im-
proper actions, and plead that they are
helpless before their habits
are compelled, persuaded; that tempta-
tion was stronger than their will to
resist. But we can choose. We do
—
choose' in many things and we can
—
131
choose in others also. We
can break
had habits; we can acquire good habits;
we can choose what we think by the
sheer determination to do so. God has
given us our agency, the right and obli-
gation to choose between right and
wrong. This is one of life's prime pur-
— poses, and the person who says he
hasn't self-control is saying something
much more serious than he supposes
because if we can't control our thoughts
we can't control our actions so how —
could we be trusted in any circum-
stance or assignment. The Command-
ments are still in force. So are the laws
of life, the laws of health, the laws of
Blessedly we can repent; we can turn
from a wrong road. But we are respon-
hill." sible, we are accountable for our
O Thou thoughts, our words, our actions, and we
viction to keep self-control. "Convic-
tion," said Carlyle, "is worthless unless
it is converted into conduct."
3
"Confirm
thy soul in self-control, Thy Liberty
in law." 4
(Organ Selection: "The Lord My Pas-
ture —
Will Prepare." Bortniansky.)
Announcer: With Frank Asper at the
organ we have heard a hymn melody
by Dimitri Bortniansky: "The Lord My
Pasture Will Prepare."
. . And now the Tabernacle Choir recalls
a majestic chorus from Mendelssohn's
"Elijah": "And then shall your light
break forth as the light of morning
breaketh and your health shall speedily
spring forth then; And the glory of the
is inclined to Lord ever shall reward you. Lord our
Creator, how excellent thy Name is in
all the nations. Thou fillest heav'n
with glory."
(The Choir sang: "Then Shall Your
Light." —
Mendelssohn.
Announcer: "Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea; Unknown
waves before me roll, Hiding rock and
treacherous shoal; Chart and compass
came from thee: Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
—that they
1 Winthrop W. Aldrich, Voluntary Action and Gov-
ernmental Compulsion in Democracy, delivered at
Columbia University, August 16, 1939.
£ ]nhn Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning Education.
— 'Accredited to Carlyle.
*Katherine Lee Bates, America, the Beautiful
132 GENERAL CONFERENCE
As a mother stills her child, Thou canst
hush the ocean wild; Boisterous waves
obey thy will, When thou say'st to
them, 'be still!' Wondrous Sovereign of
the sea. Jesus, Savior pilot me."
(The Choir sang: "Jesus, Savior, Pilot
Me."—Gould.)
Announcer: Again we leave you
within the shadows of the everlasting
hills. May peace be with you this day
—and always.
This concludes the seventeen hundred
and eighty-first presentation, and con-
tinues the 35th year of this traditional
broadcast from the Mormon Taber-
nacle on Temple Square, brought to you
by CBS Radio and its affiliated stations,
originating with Radio Station KSL in
Salt Lake City.
Richrd P. Condie conducted the Tab-
ernacle Choir. Frank Asper was at the
organ. The spoken word by Richard
Evans.
In another seven days, at this same
hour, music and the spoken word will
be heard again from the Crossroads of
the West.
 Index
Page
Anderson, Elder Joseph, Clerk of the Conference 1, 126
Authorities and Officers Present 1

Authorities and Officers Sustained 9

Benson, Elder Ezra Taft 15
Brockbank, Elder Bernard P 65
Brown, President Hugh B 9
(Presentation of General Authorities and Officers)
Brown, President Hugh B 85
(General Priesthood Meeting)
Brown, President Hugh B 91
(Sunday Morning Address)
Brown, Bishop Victor L 119
Choir and Organ Broadcast 130
Christiansen, Elder EIRay L 115
Church of the Air Broadcast 127
Cragun, David 73
Critchlow, Elder William J., Jr 26
Dyer, Elder Alvin R 49
Evans, Elder Richard L - 41
Evans, Richard !... Announcer 127
(Church of the Air Broadcast)
Evans, Richard L 130
(Choir and Organ Broadcast)
First —
Day Morning Meeting 3
First —
Day Afternoon Meeting 19
General Authorities and Officers Present 1

General Authorities, Officers and Auxiliary Officers Sustained 9

General Priesthood Meeting 73
Hinckley, Elder Gordon B 127
Hunter, Elder Howard W 99
Isaacson, Elder Thorpe B 95
Ivins, Elder Antoine R 117
Kimball, Elder Spencer W 34
Lee, Elder Harold B 104
Longden, Elder John 30
McKay, President David 5
(Opening Address)
McKay, President David O - 89
(General Priesthood Meeting)
McKay, President David 122
(Closing Address)
McKay, President David 3, 5, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 30,
32, 34, 40, 41, 44, 49, 52, 54, 55, 56, 60, 62, 65,
68, 69, 72, 73, 75, 77, 83, 85, 89, 90, 91, 95, 99,
101, 104, 108, 109, 114, 117, 118, 121, 122, 124.
Monson, Elder Thomas S 14
Packer, Elder Boyd K 62
134 INDEX

Page
Petersen, Elder Mark E . 121
Presentation of General Authorities and Officers 9
Priesthood Meeting, General - 73
Richards, Elder Franklin D. 32
Richards, Elder LeGrand 56
Romney, Elder Marion G 23
SaltLake Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Organ Broadcast 130
—
Second Day Morning Meeting 40
—
Second Day Afternoon Meeting 55
Sill, Elder Sterling W 77
Simmons, Matthew 75
Simpson, Bishop Robert L 102
Smith, Elder Eldred G 60
Smith, President Joseph Fielding 20
Sonne, Elder Alma — 52
Stapley, Elder Delbert L 109
Sustaining of General Authorities, Officers and Auxiliary Officers 9
Tabernacle Choir and Organ Broadcast 130
Tanner, President Nathan Eldon 12
(Friday Morning Address)
Tanner, President Nathan Eldon 83
(General Priesthood Meeting)
Taylor, Elder Henry D 69
—
Third Day Morning Meeting 90
—
Third Day Afternoon Meeting 108
Vandenberg, Bishop John H 45
Young, Elder S. Dilworth 68
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